Touch sensor and display device

ABSTRACT

Provided are a touch sensor and a display device. The touch sensor includes a base layer, first electrode members arranged on the base layer in a first direction and spaced apart from one another in a second direction, each first electrode members including a first opening and first touch electrodes, second electrode members arranged on the base layer in the second direction and spaced apart from one another in the first direction, each second electrode members including a second opening and second touch electrodes, a first strain gauge disposed in a first electrode row, a second strain gauge disposed in a first row, a first signal line connected to the first strain gauge, a second signal line connected to the first strain gauge, a third signal line connected to the second strain gauge and the second signal line, and a fourth signal line connected to the second strain gauge.

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2018-0135081 filed on Nov. 6, 2018, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a touch sensor and a display device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electronic devices that can display images such as a smart phone, atablet PC, a digital camera, a laptop computer, a navigation device anda smart TV include a display device for displaying images. Such adisplay device includes a display panel for generating and displaying animage and various input means.

Recently, a touch sensor that recognizes a touch input has been widelyemployed for a display device of a smartphone or a tablet PC. Because ofits convenience, touch sensors are increasingly replacing existingphysical input devices such as keypads.

SUMMARY

There is ongoing search to employ a pressure sensor for detecting themagnitude of a pressure on a display device as well as a touch sensorfor detecting a touch position, in place of existing physical buttons.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a touch sensor for sensing apressure.

It should be noted that objects of the present disclosure are notlimited to the above-mentioned object; and other objects of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing descriptions.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, there areprovided a touch sensor capable of sensing the pressure of a touch inputas well as the position of the touch input, and a display deviceincluding the touch sensor.

It should be noted that effects of the present disclosure are notlimited to those described above and other effects of the presentdisclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing descriptions.

An embodiment of a touch sensor includes a base layer; first electrodemembers arranged on the base layer in a first direction and spaced apartfrom one another in a second direction intersecting the first direction,each of the first electrode members comprising a first opening and aplurality of first touch electrodes electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction; second electrode members arranged on thebase layer in the second direction and spaced apart from one another inthe first direction, each of the second electrode members comprising asecond opening and a plurality of second touch electrodes electricallyconnected to one another in the second direction intersecting the firstdirection; a first strain gauge comprising a portion located in thefirst opening and disposed in a first electrode row among electrode rowsof the first electrode members; a second strain gauge comprising aportion located in the second opening and disposed in a first row amongrows of the second touch electrodes; a first signal line connected toone end of the first strain gauge; a second signal line connected toanother end of the first strain gauge and spaced apart from the firstsignal line; a third signal line connected to one end of the secondstrain gauge and the second signal line; and a fourth signal lineconnected to another end of the second strain gauge and spaced apartfrom the third signal line.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first strain gauge comprises: aplurality of first resistance lines electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction, and a plurality of second resistancelines electrically connected to one another in the first direction, andwherein each of the first resistance lines and each of the secondresistance lines are located in the first opening in the first electroderow and are spaced from each other in the first opening.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first electrode members furthercomprise first connecting parts each of which connects two first touchelectrodes, among the first touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the first direction, and the second electrode members furthercomprise second connecting parts each of which connects two second touchelectrodes, among the second touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the second direction, the second connecting parts beinginsulated from the first connecting parts, wherein the first touchelectrodes, the second touch electrodes, the first resistance lines andthe second resistance lines are located in a same first layer, one ofthe first connecting parts and the second connecting parts are locatedin a second layer different from the first layer, and an other of thefirst connecting parts and the second connecting parts are located inthe first layer.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first strain gauge comprises:first connecting lines each of which connects two first resistancelines, among the first resistance lines, that are adjacent to each otherin the first direction, and second connecting lines each of whichconnects two second resistance lines, among the second resistance lines,that are adjacent to each other in the first direction, and wherein thefirst connecting lines and the second connecting lines are located inthe second layer.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first strain gage furthercomprises a first connecting pattern connected to the first resistancelines and the second resistance lines and located in a same layer withthe first resistance lines or the second resistance lines, and

wherein the first connecting pattern is located in an outermost firstopening of the first electrode row among the first openings.

The touch sensor may further comprise: an insulating layer disposed onthe base layer, wherein the first connecting lines and the secondconnecting lines are disposed on the base layer, wherein the insulatinglayer is disposed on the first connecting lines and the secondconnecting lines, and wherein the first touch electrodes, the secondtouch electrodes, the first resistance lines and the second resistancelines are disposed on the insulating layer.

The touch sensor may have wherein the base layer comprises a firstencapsulation inorganic layer, an encapsulation organic layer disposedon the first encapsulation inorganic layer, and a second encapsulationinorganic layer disposed on the encapsulation organic layer, and whereinthe first connecting lines and the second connecting lines are disposedon the second encapsulation inorganic layer.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first electrode members furthercomprise first connecting parts each of which connects two first touchelectrodes, among the first touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the first direction, and the second electrode members furthercomprise second connecting parts each of which connects two second touchelectrodes, among the second touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the second direction, the second connecting parts beinginsulated from the first connecting parts, wherein the first touchelectrodes, the second touch electrodes and the first resistance linesare located in a same first layer, one of the first connecting parts andthe second connecting parts are located in a second layer different fromthe first layer, and an other of the first connecting parts and thesecond connecting parts are located in the first layer, and the secondresistance lines are located in the second layer.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first electrode members furthercomprise first connecting parts each of which connects two first touchelectrodes, among the first touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the first direction, and the second electrode members furthercomprise second connecting parts each of which connects two second touchelectrodes, among the second touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the second direction, the second connecting parts beinginsulated from the first connecting parts, wherein the first touchelectrodes and the second touch electrodes are located in a same firstlayer, one of the first connecting parts and the second connecting partsare located in a second layer different from the first layer, and another of the first connecting parts and the second connecting parts arelocated in the first layer, and the first resistance lines and thesecond resistance lines are located in the second layer.

The touch sensor may have wherein the second strain gauge comprises: aplurality of third resistance lines electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction, and a plurality of fourth resistancelines electrically connected to one another in the first direction,third connecting lines each of which connects two third resistancelines, among the third resistance lines, that are adjacent to each otherin the first direction, and fourth connecting lines each of whichconnects two fourth resistance lines, among the fourth resistance lines,that are adjacent to each other in the first direction, wherein each ofthe third resistance lines and each of the fourth resistance lines arelocated in the second opening in the first row, and are spaced from eachother in the second opening.

The touch sensor may have wherein an area of the second opening islarger than an area of the first opening.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a third strain gauge located in asecond electrode row, among the electrode rows, that is adjacent to thefirst electrode row in the second direction of the first electrodemembers and comprising a portion located in the first opening in thesecond electrode row; and a fourth strain gauge located in a second row,among the rows, that is adjacent to the first row in the seconddirection of the second electrodes and comprising a portion located insecond first opening in the second row, where the first row is locatedbetween the first electrode row and the second electrode row along thesecond direction, and the second electrode row is located between thefirst row and the second row along the second direction.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a fifth signal line connected toone end of the third strain gauge and the fourth signal line; a sixthsignal line connected to another end of the third strain gauge; aseventh signal line connected to one end of the fourth strain gauge andthe sixth signal line; and an eighth signal line connected to anotherend of the fourth strain gauge.

The touch sensor may have wherein a sensing area where the firstelectrode members and the second electrode members are disposed, and aperipheral area around the sensing area, are defined in the base layer,wherein the third signal line is connected to the second signal line inthe peripheral area, the fifth signal line is connected to the fourthsignal line in the peripheral area, and the seventh signal line isconnected to the sixth signal line in the peripheral area.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a Wheatstone bridge circuitcomprising a first node to which a driving voltage is applied, a secondnode to which a reference voltage is applied, a first output node and asecond output node, wherein the first signal line and the eighth signalline are electrically connected to the first node, the third signal lineis electrically connected to the second output node, the fifth signalline is electrically connected to the second node, and the seventhsignal line is electrically connected to the first output node.

The touch sensor may have wherein the base layer comprises a first areaand a second area adjacent to the first area in the first direction,wherein the first strain gauge further comprises: a first conductivepattern electrically connected to the first resistance lines in thefirst direction and having a shape different from that of the firstresistance lines, and a second conductive pattern connected to thesecond resistance lines in the first direction and having a shapedifferent from that of the second resistance lines, wherein the firstconductive pattern and the second conductive pattern are located in thefirst opening in the first area and are spaced apart from each other,and wherein the first resistance lines and the second resistance linesare located in the first opening in the second area.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first conductive pattern and thesecond conductive pattern have a mesh structure.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a dummy pattern located in adifferent area than the second strain gauge, wherein the dummy patternis disposed in the second opening located in the different area amongthe second openings and spaced apart from the second touch electrodes,and wherein the first touch electrodes, the second touch electrodes andthe dummy pattern are located in the same first layer, and the firsttouch electrodes and the second touch electrodes are made of a samematerial.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a plurality of noise sensingelectrodes located in a different area than the first strain gauge andelectrically connected to one another in the first direction, whereineach of the noise sensing electrodes is located in the first opening andspaced apart from the first touch electrodes in the different area.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a controller configured to cancela noise in a signal sensed by the first electrode members based on anoise signal sensed by the noise sensing electrode members.

An embodiment of a touch sensor includes a base layer; a plurality oftouch electrodes disposed on the base layer and arranged in a firstdirection and each having an opening; a strain gauge comprising aplurality of first resistance lines electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction, a plurality of second resistance lineselectrically connected to one another in the first direction, and aconnecting pattern connecting one of the first resistance lines with therespective one of the second resistance lines, wherein each of the firstresistance lines is located in the opening and is spaced apart from thetouch electrode, and each of the second resistance lines is located inthe opening and is spaced apart from the touch electrode and the firstresistance lines.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first resistance lines or thesecond resistance lines are located in a same layer with the touchelectrodes and are made of a same material as the touch electrode.

The touch sensor may have wherein the first resistance lines and thesecond resistance lines are located in a different layer than the touchelectrodes.

The touch sensor may further comprise: a noise sensing electrode locatedin a different area than the strain gauge, wherein the noise sensingelectrode is located in the opening in the different area and is spacedapart from the touch electrodes.

The touch sensor may have wherein the noise sensing electrode is locatedin a same layer with the touch electrodes and is made of a same materialas the touch electrodes.

An embodiment of a display device includes a base substrate; alight-emitting diode disposed on the base substrate; a thin-filmencapsulation layer disposed on the light-emitting diode; a touchelectrode disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer and comprisingan opening; and a strain gauge, wherein the strain gauge comprises: afirst resistance line and a second resistance line located in theopening and spaced apart from the touch electrode, a first connectingline connected to the first resistance line and located on a differentlayer than the touch electrode, a second connecting line connected tothe second resistance line, spaced apart from the first connecting lineand located on the same layer with the first connecting line, and aconnecting pattern connected to the first resistance line and the secondresistance line and located in the same layer with the touch electrodeor the first connecting line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the touch sensor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of the touch sensor of FIG. 2, especially a plan viewshowing the sensor part of the touch sensor and the connectiverelationship between the sensor part and the controller.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the first strain gauge, the secondstrain gauge, the third strain gauge and the fourth strain gauge shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of portion Qa of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a structure of a first layer ofthe sensor part shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q1 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q2 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q3 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a modification of the example shown inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q4 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a modification of the example shown in FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a second layer of the sensorpart shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X2-X2′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X3-X3′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X4-X4′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X5-X5′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X6-X6′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X7-X7′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X8-X8′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X9-X9′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X10-X10′ of FIG. 5.

FIG. 24 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according to amodification of the example shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 25 is a view showing a structure of a second layer according to amodification of the example shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 16.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 17.

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 18.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 19.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 20.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 21.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 22.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 23.

FIG. 34 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according toanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 35 is a view showing a structure of a second layer according toanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 22.

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 44 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q5 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of an example of the sensor part andthe display panel, taken along line X11-X11′ in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a view for illustrating an operation of detecting a touchposition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 47 is a plan view schematically showing the arrangement of thefirst strain gauge, the second strain gauge, the third strain gauge, thefourth strain gauge, the first to the eighth signal lines shown in FIG.3 and the connection of the Wheatstone bridge circuit.

FIG. 48 is a circuit diagram for illustrating an operation of detectinga touch pressure of a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure, specifically the Wheatstone bridge circuitelectrically connected to the first strain gauge, the second straingauge, the third strain gauge and the fourth strain gauge shown in FIG.47.

FIG. 49 is a plan view of a sensor part of a touch sensor according toanother exemplary embodiment, showing a connection relationship betweenthe sensor part and a controller.

FIG. 50 is an enlarged plan view of the first strain gauge, the secondstrain gauge, the third strain gauge and the fourth strain gauge shownin FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is an enlarged view of portion Qb of FIG. 49.

FIG. 52 is a view showing an example of the structure a first layer ofthe sensor part shown in FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q6 of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a view showing an example of the structure a second layer ofthe sensor part shown in FIG. 51.

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Xa-Xa′ of FIG. 51.

FIG. 56 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according to amodification of the example shown in FIG. 52.

FIG. 57 is a view showing a structure of a second layer according to amodification of the example shown in FIG. 54.

FIG. 58 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according toanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 52.

FIG. 59 is a view showing a structure of a second layer according toanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 54.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Features of the inventive concept and methods of accomplishing the samemay be understood more readily by reference to the following detaileddescription of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The inventiveconcept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should notbe construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the inventiveconcept to those skilled in the art, and the inventive concept will onlybe defined by the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout the specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcept. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/orsections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component,region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings of the inventive concept.

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive subject matter are describedherein with reference to plan and perspective illustrations that areschematic illustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments of theinventive subject matter. As such, variations from the shapes of theillustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, are to be expected. Therefore, the exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to specificfeatures but may include variations depending on the fabricatingprocesses. Therefore, the regions illustrated in the drawings haveschematic attributes, and the shapes of the regions illustrated in thedrawings are for illustrating specific shapes and are not for limitingthe scope of the present disclosure.

The drawings are not to scale and the relative dimensions of variouselements in the drawings are depicted schematically and not necessarilyto scale.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of thetouch sensor shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display device 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure includes a touch sensor TSM and adisplay panel 300, and may further include a display panel driver 400.The touch sensor TSM includes a sensor part 100 and a controller 200.

It is to be noted that although the sensor part 100 and the displaypanel 300 are separated from each other in the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 1, this is for convenience of illustration and the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the sensor part 100 andthe display panel 300 may be integrally formed.

The display panel 300 includes a display area DA and a non-display areaNDA surrounding at least a part of the display area DA. In the displayarea DA, a plurality of scan lines 310, a plurality of data lines 320,and a plurality of pixels P are connected to the scan lines 310 and thedata lines 320. In the non-display area NDA, lines for supplying avariety of driving signals and/or supply voltages for driving the pixelsP may be disposed.

The type of the display panel 300 is not particularly limited herein.For example, the display panel 300 may be a self-luminous display panelsuch as an organic light-emitting display panel (OLED panel), aquantum-dot light-emitting display panel (QLED panel), a microlight-emitting diode display panel (micro LED display panel), and a nanolight-emitting diode display panel (nano LED display panel).Alternatively, the display panel 300 may be a non-light-emitting displaypanel such as a liquid-crystal display panel (LCD panel), anelectro-phoretic display panel (EPD panel), and an electro-wettingdisplay panel (EWD panel). When the display panel 300 is a non-luminousdisplay panel, the display device 1 may further include a backlight unitfor supplying light to the display panel 300. In the followingdescription, an organic light-emitting display panel is employed as anexample of the display panel 300 for convenience of description.

The display panel driver 400 is electrically connected to the displaypanel 300 to supply signals necessary for driving the display panel 300.For example, the display panel driver 400 may include at least one of ascan driver for supplying a scan signal to the scan lines 310, a datadriver for supplying a data signal to the data lines 320, and a timingcontroller for driving the scan driver and the data driver. In someexemplary embodiments, the scan driver, the data driver and/or thetiming controller may be, but are not limited to being, integrated intoa single display IC (D-IC). For example, in another exemplaryembodiment, at least one of the scan driver, the data driver and thetiming controller may be integrated into or mounted on the display panel300.

The sensor part 100 may be provided on at least one area of the displaypanel 300. For example, the sensor part 100 may be formed on at leastone surface of the display panel 300 such that it overlaps with thedisplay panel 300. For example, the sensor part 100 may be disposed onone of the two surfaces (for example, the upper surface) of the displaypanel 300 from which images are displayed. Alternatively, the sensorpart 100 may be formed directly on at least one of the two surfaces ofthe display panel 300, or may be formed inside the display panel 300.For example, the sensor part 100 may be formed directly on an outersurface of the top substrate (or an thin-film encapsulation layer) orthe bottom substrate of the display panel 300 (e.g., the upper surfaceof the top substrate or the lower surface of the bottom substrate) ormay be formed directly on an inner surface of the top substrate or thebottom substrate (e.g., the lower surface of the top substrate or theupper surface of the bottom substrate).

The sensor part 100 includes a sensing area SA and a peripheral area NSAsurrounding at least a part of the sensing area SA. In some exemplaryembodiments, the sensing area SA may be the area of the sensor part 100where a touch input is sensed, whereas the peripheral area NSA may bethe area of the sensor part 100 where no touch input is sensed. In someexemplary embodiments, the sensing area SA may be in line with thedisplay area DA of the display panel 300, while the peripheral area NSAmay be in line with the non-display area NDA of the display panel 300.For example, the sensing area SA of the sensor part 100 may overlap withthe display area DA of the display panel 300, and the peripheral areaNSA of the sensor part 100 may overlap with the non-display area NDA ofthe display panel 300.

A plurality of first electrode members 120 and a plurality of secondelectrode members 130 for detecting a touch input may be disposed in thesensing area SA of the sensor part 100.

The first electrode members 120 may be extended in a first direction xand may be spaced apart from one another in a second direction yintersecting the first direction x. That is to say, the first electrodemembers 120 extended in the first direction x may be spaced apart fromone another in the second direction y to form electrode rows.

The second electrode members 130 may be extended in the second directiony and may be spaced apart from one another in the first direction x. Thesecond electrode members 130 may be spaced apart and insulated from thefirst electrode members 120. That is to say, the second electrodemembers 130 extended in the second direction y may be spaced apart fromone another in the first direction x to form columns.

The shape, size and/or orientations of the first electrode members 120and the second electrode members 130 are not particularly limitedherein. As a non-limiting example, the first electrode members 120 andthe second electrode members 130 may be configured as shown in FIG. 3,which will be described later.

The first electrode members 120 and the second electrode members 130 maybe electrically connected to the controller 200. In some exemplaryembodiments, the second electrode members 130 may be driving electrodemembers that receive a driving signal Ts for detecting a touch from thecontroller 200, and the first electrode members 120 may be sensingelectrode members that output a sensing signal Rs for detecting a touchto the controller 200.

The first electrode members 120 and the second electrode members 130 mayoverlap with at least one of the electrodes of the display panel 300.For example, when the display panel 300 is an organic light-emittingdisplay panel, the first electrode members 120 and the second electrodemembers 130 may overlap with the cathode electrode of the display panel300 or the like.

Strain gauges 150 may be disposed in the sensing area SA of the sensorpart 100 to detect a touch pressure. The length or cross-sectional areaof the strain gauges 150 may vary when an external force is applied,such that the resistance value may be changed. The strain gauges 150 maybe spaced apart from the first electrode members 120 and the secondelectrode members 130, and may be insulated from the first electrodemembers 120 and the second electrode members 130.

In some exemplary embodiments, at least a part of the strain gauges 150may be extended in the first direction x, like the first electrodemembers 120.

In some embodiments, the strain gauges 150 may include a first straingauge 150 a, a second strain gauge 150 b, a third strain gauge 150 c,and a fourth strain gauge 150 d. The strain gauges 150 will be describedin detail later.

In the sensing area SA of the sensor part 100, noise sensing electrodemembers 170 for sensing noise may be further disposed.

The noise sensing electrode members 170 may be electrically connected tothe controller 200 and may be electrically connected to a touch detector230, which will be described later in more detail. The noise sensingelectrode members 170 may sense the noise generated in the sensor part100 and provide it to the touch detector 230 as a noise sensing signalNs.

The noise sensing electrode members 170 may be extended in the firstdirection x and may be spaced apart from one another in the seconddirection y intersecting the first direction x. In some exemplaryembodiments, the noise sensing electrode members 170 may be spaced apartfrom the first electrode members 120, the second electrode members 130and the first strain gauge 150 a.

The controller 200 may be electrically connected to the sensor part 100to supply a driving signal Ts to the sensor part 100 and may receive asensing signal Rs from the sensor part 100 in response to the drivingsignal Ts, thereby detecting a touch position. Furthermore, thecontroller 200 may be electrically connected to the first strain gauge150 a to detect a touch pressure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch controller 200 may furtherinclude a touch driver 210, a touch detector 230, and a pressuredetector 250.

The touch driver 210 may provide a driving signal Ts for detecting atouch input to the second electrode members 130.

The touch detector 230 may receive the sensing signal Rs from the firstelectrode members 120 in response to the driving signal Ts and detect ifthere is a touch input and/or the position of the touch input if any. Insome exemplary embodiments, the sensing signal Rs may be a change in themutual capacitance between the first electrode members 120 and thesecond electrode members 130. More specifically, when a touch input ismade, the capacitance changes at the point where the touch input is madeor at the periphery thereof. The touch detector 230 may receive theamount of the change in the mutual capacitance between the firstelectrode members 120 and the second electrode members 130 as a sensingsignal Rs and may detect if there is a touch input and/or the positionof the touch input if any by using the received sensing signal. Inaddition, the touch detector 230 may receive a noise sensing signal Nsfrom the noise sensing electrode members 170 and may remove or cancelthe noise included in the sensing signal Rs using the noise sensingsignal Ns.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch detector 230 may include one ormore amplifiers for amplifying the received sensing signal Rs, ananalog-to-digital converter coupled to the output of the amplifier, anda processor. The touch detector 230 will be described in more detaillater with reference to FIG. 46.

The pressure detector 250 may be electrically connected to the straingauges 150 and may detect a touch pressure based on a change in theresistance value of the strain gauge 150. In some exemplary embodiments,the pressure detector 250 may include a Wheatstone bridge circuitelectrically connected to each of the first strain gauge 150 a, thesecond strain gauge 150 b, the third strain gauge 150 c, and the fourthstrain gauge 150 d.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch driver 210, the touch detector230 and the pressure detector 250 may be integrated into a single touchIC. It is, however, to be understood that this is merely illustrative.

In some other exemplary embodiments, the touch driver 210 and the touchdetector 230 may be integrated into a single touch IC, while thepressure detector 250 may be outside the touch IC. For example, thepressure detector 250 may be disposed on the display panel 300 or may bedisposed on a separate flexible circuit board.

Hereinafter, the touch sensor TSM will be described in more detail withreference to FIGS. 3 to 23.

FIG. 3 is a view of the touch sensor of FIG. 2, especially a plan viewshowing the sensor part of the touch sensor and the connectiverelationship between the sensor part and the controller. FIG. 4 is anenlarged plan view of the first strain gauge, the second strain gauge,the third strain gauge and the fourth strain gauge shown in FIG. 3. FIG.5 is an enlarged plan view of portion Qa of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a viewshowing an example of a structure of a first layer of the sensor partshown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q1 of FIG.6. FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q2 of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is anenlarged plan view of portion Q3 of FIG. 6. FIG. 10 is a plan viewshowing a modification of the example shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is anenlarged plan view of portion Q4 of FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is a plan viewshowing a modification of the example shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is aview showing an example of a structure of a second layer of the sensorpart shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX1-X1′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX2-X2′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX3-X3′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX4-X4′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX5-X5′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX6-X6′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX7-X7′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX8-X8′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX9-X9′ of FIG. 5. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineX10-X10′ of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 23, the sensor part 100 includes a base layer110, first electrode members 120, second electrode members 130, a firststrain gauge 150 a, a second strain gauge 150 b, a third strain gauge150 c and a fourth strain gauge 150 d, and may further include noisesensing electrode members 170. The sensor part 100 may further include adummy electrode 190.

The base layer 110 may include the sensing area SA and the peripheralarea NSA. The base layer 110 works as the base of the sensor part 100and may be one of the constituent layers of the display panel 300 insome exemplary embodiments. For example, in the exemplary embodimentwhere the sensor part 100 and the display panel 300 are integrallyformed, the base layer 110 may be at least one of the constituent layersof the display panel 300. For example, the base layer 110 may be athin-film encapsulation layer of the display panel 300. Alternatively,in some exemplary embodiments, the base layer 110 may be a rigidsubstrate or a flexible substrate. For example, the base layer 110 maybe a rigid substrate made of glass or tempered glass, or a flexiblesubstrate made of a flexible plastic material in the form of a thinfilm. In the following description for the sake of convenience, it isassumed that the base layer 110 is composed of at least one theconstituent layers of the display panel 300, e.g., a layer including thethin-film encapsulation layer, for example.

In the sensing area SA of the base layer 110, the first electrodemembers 120, the second electrode members 130 insulated from the firstelectrode members 120, the first strain gauge 150 a, the second straingauge 150 b, the third strain gauge 150 c, and the fourth strain gauge150 d, which are insulated from the first electrode members 120 and thesecond electrode members 130, may be disposed.

The first electrode members 120 may be extended in the first direction xand may be spaced apart from one another in the second direction y, asdescribed above. Each of the first electrode members 120 spaced from oneanother in the second direction y may form an electrode row. In theexample shown in FIG. 3, eight first electrode members 120 are arrangedin the second direction y, including a first electrode row RE1, a secondelectrode row RE2, a third electrode row RE3, a fourth electrode rowRE4, a fifth electrode row RE5, a sixth electrode row RE6, a seventhelectrode row RE7 and an eighth electrode row RE8 arranged in this orderin the second direction y. It is, however, to be understood that thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of the firstelectrode members 120 may vary as required.

The first electrode members 120 may include a plurality of first touchelectrodes 121 arranged in the first direction x, and a plurality offirst connecting parts 123 each electrically connecting first touchelectrodes 121 that are adjacent to each other in the first direction x.In the following description of the exemplary embodiments, the term“connection” may encompass physical and/or electrical connection.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch electrodes 121 may belocated in a first layer L1. The first touch electrodes 121 may have adiamond or rectangular shape, but are not limited thereto. The firsttouch electrodes 121 may have any of variety of shapes such as atriangle, other types of quadrangles, a pentagon, a circle and a bar.

The first touch electrodes 121 may include a conductive material. Forexample, the conductive material may include a metal or an alloythereof. Examples of the metal may include gold (Au), silver (Ag),aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chrome (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), etc. In addition, the firsttouch electrodes 121 may be made of a transparent conductive material.Examples of the transparent conductive material may include silvernanowire (AgNW), indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO),antimony zinc oxide (AZO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), zinc oxide(ZnO) and tin oxide (SnO₂), carbon nano tube, graphene, etc.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch electrodes 121 may bemade up of a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure. When thefirst touch electrodes 121 have a multi-layer structure, the first touchelectrodes 121 may include multiple metal layers. For example, the firsttouch electrodes 121 may have a triple-layer structure of titanium(Ti)/aluminum (Al)/titanium (Ti).

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch electrodes 121 may have amesh structure so that they are not seen by a user. When the first touchelectrodes 121 have a mesh structure, the first touch electrodes 121 maybe disposed such that they do not overlap with the light-emitting areaof the display panel. In other words, a mesh hole overlapping with thelight-emitting area may be defined in the first touch electrode 121having the mesh structure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch electrodes 121 spacedapart from one another in the second direction y may form the electrodecolumns. In the example shown in FIG. 3, eight first touch electrodes121 are arranged in a single column, which form a first electrode columnCE1, a second electrode column CE2, a third electrode column CE3, afourth electrode column CE4, a fifth electrode column CE5, a sixthelectrode column CE6, a seventh electrode column CE7 and an eighthelectrode column CE8 arranged in the first direction x. It is, however,to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Thenumber of the electrode columns of the first touch electrodes 121 mayvary as required.

Each of the first touch electrodes 121 may include a first opening OP1.For example, at least the center portion of each of the first touchelectrodes 121 may be open, so that a layer disposed thereunder may beexposed through it. For example, when an insulating layer IL is disposedunder the first touch electrodes 121, a part of the insulating layer ILmay be exposed through the first opening OP1.

The first connecting parts 123 may electrically connect first touchelectrodes 121 that are adjacent to each other in the first direction xand may come in contact with the first touch electrodes 121. In someexemplary embodiments, the first connecting parts 123 may be implementedas a bridge-type connecting pattern. In some exemplary embodiments, thefirst connecting parts 123 may be disposed in a second layer L2different from the first layer L1 where the first touch electrodes 121are disposed.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insulating layer IL may be disposedbetween the first touch electrodes 121 and the first connecting parts123. In some exemplary embodiments, the first connecting parts 123located in the second layer L2 may be disposed on the base layer 110,the insulating layer IL may be disposed over the first connecting parts123, and the first touch electrodes 121 located in the first layer L1may be disposed on the insulating layer IL. In addition, the firstconnecting parts 123 may be connected to and in contact with the firsttouch electrodes 121 through the first contact holes CH1 formed in theinsulating layer IL.

The insulating layer IL may include an insulative material. In someexemplary embodiments, the insulating material may be an inorganicinsulating material or an organic insulating material. The inorganicinsulating material may include at least one of aluminum oxide, titaniumoxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafniumoxide. The organic insulating material may include at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of: an acrylic resin, a methacrylic resin, apolyisoprene, a vinyl resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, acellulose resin, a siloxane resin, a polyimide resin, a polyamide resin,and a perylene resin.

The first connecting part 123 may include a conductive material. In someexemplary embodiments, the first connecting part 123 may include thesame material as the first touch electrodes 121, or may include at leastone selected from the materials listed above as the materials of thefirst touch electrodes 121. In some exemplary embodiments, the firstconnecting parts 123 may be made up of either a single-layer or multiplelayers. For example, the first connecting parts 123 may have atriple-layer structure of titanium (Ti)/aluminum (Al)/titanium (Ti). Itis, however, to be understood that the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The first connecting parts 123 may be made of a materialdifferent that of the first touch electrodes 121.

Although the figure shows that each of the first connecting parts 123 isdisposed between the first touch electrodes 121 adjacent to each otherin the first direction x, the number of the first connecting parts 123is not limited thereto. For example, two or more first connecting parts123 may be disposed between two first touch electrodes 121 adjacent toeach other in the first direction x.

The second electrode members 130 may be extended in the second directiony and may be spaced apart from one another in the first direction x, asdescribed above. Each of the second electrode members 130 spaced fromone another in the first direction x may form a column. In the exampleshown in FIG. 3, seven second electrode members 130 are arranged in thefirst direction x, including a first column CO1, a second column CO2, athird e column CO3, a fourth column CO4, a fifth column CO5, a sixthcolumn CO6, and a seventh column CO7 arranged in the reverse firstdirection x. It is, however, to be understood that the presentdisclosure is not limited thereto. The number of the second electrodemembers 130 may vary as required.

The second electrode members 130 may include a plurality of second touchelectrodes 131 arranged in the second direction y, and second connectingparts 133 electrically connecting second touch electrodes 131 that areadjacent to each other in the second direction y.

The second touch electrodes 131 may be electrically connected to oneanother in the second direction y. In addition, the second touchelectrodes 131 may be spaced apart from one another in the firstdirection x.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second touch electrodes 131 spacedapart from one another in the first direction x may form rows. In theexample shown in FIG. 3, seven second electrode members 131 are arrangedin a single row, which form a first row RO1, a second row RO2, a thirdrow RO3, a fourth row RO4, a fifth row RO5, a six row RO6, a seventh rowRO7 and an eighth row RO8 arranged in the first direction x. It is,however, to be understood that the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The number of the rows of the second touch electrodes 131 mayvary as required.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the rows of the second touchelectrodes 131 may be located between every two electrode rows of thefirst electrode members 120. For example, a first row RO1 may be locatedbetween the first electrode row RE1 and the second electrode row RE2,and a second row RO2 may be located between the second electrode row RE2and the third electrode row RE3. That is to say, the rows of the secondtouch electrodes 131 and the rows of the first electrode members 120 maybe repeatedly and alternately arranged in the second direction y.

Each of the second touch electrodes 131 may include a second openingOP2. For example, at least the center portion of each of the secondtouch electrodes 131 may be open, so that a layer disposed thereundermay be exposed through it. For example, when the insulating layer IL isdisposed under the second touch electrodes 131, a part of the insulatinglayer IL may be exposed through the second opening OP2.

In some exemplary embodiments, the area of the second openings OP2 maybe different from the area of the first openings OP1. For example, thearea of the second openings OP2 may be larger than the area of the firstopenings OP1.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second touch electrodes 131 and thefirst touch electrodes 121 may be located on the same layer, i.e., thefirst layer L1. The second touch electrodes 131 may have, but are notlimited to, a diamond shape when viewed from the top. The second touchelectrodes 131 may have any of variety of shapes such as a triangle, aquadrangle other than a diamond, a pentagon, a circle and a bar.

The second connecting parts 133 may electrically connect the secondtouch electrodes 131 adjacent to each other in the second direction yand may come in contact with the second touch electrodes 131. In someexemplary embodiments, the second connecting parts 133 may be disposedin the same first layer L1 with the first touch electrodes 121 and thesecond touch electrodes 131.

The second connecting parts 133 may be insulated from and intersect withthe first connecting parts 123. In some exemplary embodiments, theinsulating layer IL may be disposed between the second connecting parts133 and the first connecting parts 123.

The second touch electrodes 131 and the second connecting parts 133 mayinclude a conductive material. In some exemplary embodiments, the secondtouch electrodes 131 and the second connecting parts 133 may be made ofthe same conductive material as the first touch electrodes 121.

In some exemplary embodiments, when the first touch electrodes 121 has amesh structure, the second touch electrodes 131 and the secondconnecting parts 133 may have a mesh structure, like the first touchelectrodes 121.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second electrodes 131 may be drivingelectrodes that receive a driving signal Ts for detecting a touchposition, and the first electrodes 121 may be sensing electrodes thatoutput a sensing signal Rs for detecting a touch position.

The first strain gauge 150 a may be located in an electrode row of thefirst electrode members 120. For example, the first strain gauge 150 amay be located in the first electrode row RE1.

The first strain gauge 150 a may include a first resistance line 151 a,a second resistance line 153 a, a first connecting line 155 a, a secondconnecting line 157 a, and a first connecting pattern 159 a.

The first resistance line 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a maybe located in the first opening OP1 formed in each of the first touchelectrodes 121 of the first electrode row RE1 and may be spaced apartfrom the first touch electrodes 121. In addition, the first resistanceline 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a may be spaced apart fromeach other in the first opening OP1. In some exemplary embodiments, thefirst resistance line 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a may notoverlap each other when viewed from the top.

The first resistance line 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a maymeander in a predetermined pattern. When a pressure having a certainintensity is applied to the sensor part 100 of the touch sensor TSM, thelength of the first resistance line 151 a and/or the length of thesecond resistance line 153 a is changed. Accordingly, the resistancevalue of the first strain gauge 151 a is changed, and the intensity ofthe touch pressure can be determined based on the changed resistancevalue.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first resistance line 151 aand the second resistance line 153 a may have a shape that includes twoor more bent portions and portions extended in a direction intersectingthe first direction x and the second direction y, as shown in FIG. 9.

Alternatively, the shape of the first resistance line 151 a and theshape of the second resistance line 153 a may be variously changed.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first resistance line 151 a and thesecond resistance line 153 a may be located in the same first layer L1with the first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131. For example,when the first touch electrodes 121 and the second touch electrodes 131are disposed on the insulating layer IL, the first resistance line 151 aand the second resistance line 153 a may also be disposed on theinsulating layer IL.

The first resistance line 151 a may include a conductive material. Insome exemplary embodiments, the first resistance line 151 a may be madeof the same material as the first and second touch electrodes 121 and131.

When the first touch electrodes 121 and the second touch electrodes 131have a mesh structure, the first resistance line 151 a and the secondresistance line 153 a may be formed by removing a part of the meshstructure. When the first resistance line 151 a and the secondresistance line 153 a are formed by removing a part of the meshstructure, in some exemplary embodiments, branch portions BPa may befurther located in the first opening OP1, which are connected to thefirst resistance line 151 a and/or the second resistance line 153 a andare spaced apart from one another as shown in FIG. 10.

The branch portions BPa may be the remaining portions after a part ofthe mesh structure has been removed. The branch portions BPa may bespaced apart from the first touch electrodes 121 and may be disposed inthe same first layer L1 with the first resistance line 151 a and thesecond resistance line 153 a and may be made of the same material as thefirst resistance line 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a.

The first connecting line 155 a may electrically connect firstresistance lines 151 a that are adjacent to each other in the firstdirection x and may come in contact with the first resistance line 151a. The second connecting line 157 a may electrically connect secondresistance lines 153 a that are adjacent to each other in the firstdirection x and may come in contact with the second resistance line 153a. The first connecting line 155 a and the second connecting line 157 amay be spaced apart from each other with no contact with the firstelectrode member 120 and the second electrode member 130. In someexemplary embodiments, the first connecting line 155 a and the secondconnecting line 157 a may be located in the same second layer L2 withthe first connecting part 123 a and may be made of the same material asthe first connecting part 123 a.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insulating layer IL may be disposedbetween the first resistance line 151 a and the first connecting line155 a and between the second resistance line 153 a and the secondconnecting line 157 a. For example, the first resistance line 151 a andthe second resistance line 153 a may be disposed on the insulating layerIL, and the first connecting line 155 a and the second connecting line157 a may be disposed under the insulating layer IL.

The first resistance line 151 a and the first connecting line 155 a maybe connected to each other and in contact with each other through athird contact hole CH3 formed in the insulating layer IL. The secondresistance line 153 a and the second connecting line 157 a may beconnected to each other and in contact with each other through a fourthcontact hole CH4 formed in the insulating layer IL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first connecting pattern 159 a may belocated in the first opening OP1 formed in the first electrode row RE1and the first electrode column CE1. That is to say, the first connectingpattern 159 a may be disposed in the outermost first opening OP1 of thefirst electrode row RE1 in the first direction x. The first connectingpattern 159 a may connect the first resistance line 151 a with thesecond resistance line 153 a. In some exemplary embodiments, the firstconnecting pattern 159 a may be located in the first layer L1 with thefirst and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and may include the sameconductive material as the first and second touch electrodes 121 and131.

The first strain gauge 150 a including the first resistance line 151 a,the first connecting line 155 a, the second resistance line 153 a, thesecond connecting line 157 a, and the first connecting pattern 159 a mayhave a shape that is extended from one side to another side of thesensing unit 100 in the first direction x and then is extended from theanother side to the one side in the first direction x when viewed fromthe top. Accordingly, both ends of the first strain gauge 150 a may bepositioned adjacent to one side of the sensing area SA, for example, tothe left side of the sensing area SA in FIG. 3.

The second strain gauge 150 b may be positioned in a row of the secondtouch electrodes 131. For example, the second strain gauge 150 b may belocated in the first row RO1.

The second strain gauge 150 b may include a third resistance line 151 b,a fourth resistance line 153 b, a third connecting line 155 b, a fourthconnecting line 157 b, and a second connecting pattern 159 b.

The third resistance line 151 b and the fourth resistance line 153 b maybe positioned in the second opening OP2 formed in each of the secondtouch electrodes 131 of the first row RO1. The third resistance line 151b and the fourth resistance line 153 b may be spaced apart from thesecond touch electrodes 131. The third resistance line 151 b and thefourth resistance line 153 b may be spaced apart from each other in thesecond opening OP2.

The third resistance line 151 b and the fourth resistance line 153 b mayform a predetermined pattern. In some exemplary embodiments, each of thethird resistance line 151 b and the fourth resistance line 153 b mayhave a shape that includes two or more bent portions and portionsextended in a direction intersecting the first direction x and thesecond direction y, as shown in FIG. 11.

Alternatively, the shape of the third resistance line 151 b and theshape of the fourth resistance line 153 b may be variously changed.

In some exemplary embodiments, the third resistance line 151 b and thefourth resistance line 153 b may be located in the same first layer L1with the first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131. The thirdresistance line 151 b and the fourth resistance line 153 b may include aconductive material, and in some exemplary embodiments, the firstresistance line 151 a may be made of the same material as the first andsecond touch electrodes 121 and 131.

In some exemplary embodiments, the third resistance line 151 b and thefourth resistance line 153 b may be formed by removing a part of themesh structure. In such a case, branch portions BPb may be furtherlocated in the second opening OP2, which are connected to the thirdresistance line 151 b and/or the fourth resistance line 153 b and arespaced apart from one another as shown in FIG. 12.

The branch portions BPb may be the remaining portions after a part ofthe mesh structure has been removed. The branch portions BPb may bespaced apart from the second touch electrodes 131 and may be disposed inthe same first layer L1 with the third resistance line 151 b and thefourth resistance line 153 b and may be made of the same material as thethird resistance line 151 b and the fourth resistance line 153 b.

The third connecting line 155 b may electrically connect between thethird resistance lines 151 b adjacent to each other in the firstdirection x and may come in contact with the third resistance line 151b. In addition, the fourth connecting line 157 b may electricallyconnect between the fourth resistance lines 153 b adjacent to each otherin the first direction x and may come in contact with the fourthresistance line 153 b.

The third connecting line 155 b and the fourth connecting line 157 b maybe spaced apart from and not in contact with the first electrode members120 and the second electrode members 130. In addition, the thirdconnecting line 155 b may be spaced apart from the fourth connectingline 157 b. In some exemplary embodiments, the third connecting line 155b and the fourth connecting line 157 b may be located in the same secondlayer L2 with the first connecting part 123 a and may be made of thesame material as the first connecting part 123 a.

In some exemplary embodiments, the insulating layer IL may be disposedbetween the third resistance line 151 b and the third connecting line155 b and between the fourth resistance line 153 b and the fourthconnecting line 157 b. The fourth resistance line 151 b and the thirdconnecting line 155 b may be connected to each other and in contact witheach other through a fifth contact hole CH5 formed in the insulatinglayer IL. The fourth resistance line 153 b and the fourth connectingline 157 b may be connected to each other and in contact with each otherthrough a sixth contact hole CH6 formed in the insulating layer IL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second connecting pattern 159 b maybe located in the second opening OP2 located in the first row RO1 andthe first column CO1. The second connecting pattern 159 b may be locatedin the second opening OP2 and may connect the third resistance line 151b with the fourth resistance line 153 b. In some exemplary embodiments,the second connecting pattern 159 b may be located in the first layer L1with the first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and may includethe same conductive material as the first and second touch electrodes121 and 131.

The third strain gauge 150 c may be located in an electrode row of thefirst electrode members 120 and may be located in a different electroderow than the first strain gauge 150 a. For example, the third straingauge 150 c may be located in the second electrode row RE2.

The third strain gauge 150 c may include a fifth resistance line 151 c,a sixth resistance line 153 c, a fifth connecting line 155 c, a sixthconnecting line 157 c, and a third connecting pattern 159 c. The fifthresistance line 151 c, the sixth resistance line 153 c, the fifthconnecting line 155 c, the sixth connecting line 157 c and the thirdconnecting pattern 159 c are substantially identical to the firstresistance line 151 a, the second connecting layer 153 a, the firstconnecting line 155 a, the second connecting line 157 a and the firstconnecting pattern 159 a, respectively; and, therefore, the redundantdescription will be omitted. Therefore, descriptions will focus ondifferences.

The fifth resistance line 151 c and the sixth resistance line 153 c maybe located in the first opening OP1 formed in each of the first touchelectrodes 121 of the second electrode row RE2 and may be spaced apartfrom the first touch electrodes 121. In addition, the fifth resistanceline 151 c and the sixth resistance line 153 c may be spaced apart fromeach other in the first opening OP1.

In some exemplary embodiments, the fifth resistance line 151 c and thesixth resistance line 153 c may have substantially the same shape as thestructure shown in FIG. 9 when viewed from the top. When the first touchelectrodes 121 have a mesh structure, branch portions connected to thefifth resistance line 151 c and the sixth resistance line 153 c may befurther disposed in the first opening OP1 of the second electrode rowRE2, similarly to that shown in FIG. 10.

In some exemplary embodiments, the fifth resistance line 151 c and thesixth resistance line 153 c may be located in the first layer L1 withthe first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and may include thesame conductive material as the first and second touch electrodes 121and 131.

The fifth connecting line 155 c may electrically connect between thefifth resistance lines 151 c adjacent to each other in the firstdirection x and may come in contact with the fifth resistance line 151c. In addition, the sixth connecting line 157 c may electrically connectbetween the sixth resistance lines 153 c adjacent to each other in thefirst direction x and may come in contact with the fourth resistanceline 153 b.

The fifth resistance line 151 c and the fifth connecting line 155 c maybe connected to each other and in contact with each other through aseventh contact hole CH7 formed in the insulating layer IL. The sixthresistance line 153 c and the sixth connecting line 157 c may beconnected to each other and in contact with each other through an eighthcontact hole CH8 formed in the insulating layer IL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the fifth connecting line 155 b and thesixth connecting line 157 b may be located in the same second layer L2with the first connecting part 123 a and may be made of the samematerial as the first connecting part 123 a.

In some exemplary embodiments, the third connecting pattern 159 c may belocated in the first opening OP1 formed in the second electrode row RE2and the first electrode column CE1. The third connecting pattern 159 cmay connect the fifth resistance line 151 c with the sixth resistanceline 153 c. In some exemplary embodiments, the third connecting pattern159 c may be located in the first layer L1 with the first and secondtouch electrodes 121 and 131 and may include the same conductivematerial as the first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131.

The fourth strain gauge 150 d may be located in a row of the secondtouch electrodes 131 and may be located in a different row than thesecond strain gauge 150 b. For example, the fourth strain gauge 150 dmay be located in the second row RO2.

The fourth strain gauge 150 d may include a seventh resistance line 151d, an eighth resistance line 153 d, a seventh connecting line 155 d, aneighth connecting line 157 d, and a fourth connecting pattern 159 d.

The seventh resistance line 151 d, the eighth resistance line 153 d, theseventh connecting line 155 d, the eighth connecting line 157 d and thefourth connecting pattern 159 d are substantially identical to the thirdresistance line 151 b, the fourth resistance line 153 b, the thirdconnecting layer 155 b, the fourth connecting line 157 b and the secondconnecting line 159 b, respectively; and, therefore, the redundantdescription will be omitted. Therefore, descriptions will focus ondifferences, and the redundant description will be omitted.

The seventh resistance line 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 dmay be located in the second opening OP2 in the second row RO2. Theseventh resistance line 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 d maybe spaced apart from the second touch electrodes 131. The seventhresistance line 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 d may be spacedapart from each other in the second opening OP2.

In some exemplary embodiments, the seventh resistance line 151 d and theeighth resistance line 153 d may have substantially the same shape asthe structure shown in FIG. 11 when viewed from the top. When the firsttouch electrodes 121 have a mesh structure, branch portions connected tothe seventh resistance line 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 dmay be further disposed in the second opening OP2 of the second row RO2,similarly to that shown in FIG. 12.

In some exemplary embodiments, the seventh resistance line 151 d and theeighth resistance line 153 d may be located in the first layer L1 withthe first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and may include thesame conductive material as the first and second touch electrodes 121and 131.

The seventh connecting line 155 d may electrically connect seventhresistance lines 151 d that are adjacent to each other in the firstdirection x, and may come in contact with the seventh resistance line151 d. In addition, the eighth connecting line 157 d may electricallyconnect eighth resistance lines 153 d that are adjacent to each other inthe first direction x, and may come in contact with the eighthresistance line 153 d.

The seventh resistance line 151 d and the seventh connecting line 155 dmay be connected to each other and in contact with each other through aninth contact hole CH9 formed in the insulating layer IL. The eighthresistance line 153 d and the eighth connecting line 157 d may beconnected to each other and in contact with each other through a tenthcontact hole CH10 formed in the insulating layer IL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the seventh connecting line 155 d and theeighth connecting line 157 d may be located in the same second layer L2with the first connecting part 123 a and may be made of the samematerial as the first connecting part 123 a.

In some exemplary embodiments, the fourth connecting pattern 159 d maybe located in the second opening OP2 located in the second row RO2 andthe first column CO1. The fourth connecting pattern 159 d may connectthe seventh resistance line 151 d with the eighth resistance line 153 d.In some exemplary embodiments, the fourth connecting pattern 159 d maybe located in the first layer L1 with the first and second touchelectrodes 121 and 131 and may include the same conductive material asthe first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131.

Similar to the first strain gauge 150 a, each of the second strain gauge150 b, the third strain gauge 150 c and the fourth strain gauge 150 dmay be extended from one side to another side of the sensor part 100 inthe first direction x and then extended from the another side to the oneside in the first direction x. Accordingly, both ends of the secondstrain gauge 150 b, both ends of the third strain gauge 150 c and bothends of the fourth strain gauge 150 d may be located adjacent to oneside of the sensing area, for example, the left side of the sensing areaSA in FIG. 3.

The dummy electrode 190 may be disposed in a row where neither thesecond strain gauge 150 b nor the fourth strain gauge 150 d are disposedamong the second openings OP2 of the second touch electrodes 131. Thedummy electrode 190 may be located in the second opening OP2. In theexample shown in FIG. 3, the dummy electrodes 190 are disposed in thesecond openings OP2 located in the third row RO3, the fourth row RO4,the fifth row RO5, the sixth row RO6, the seventh row RO7 and the eighthrow RO8. As the second opening OP2 is formed in each of the second touchelectrodes 131, there may be a difference in the reflectance of theexternal light. As a result, the pattern may be seen from the outside ofthe display device 1 as a stain. In this regard, the dummy electrode 190reduces the difference in the reflectance of the external light so thatthe pattern is less visible from the outside.

In some exemplary embodiments, the dummy electrode 190 may have the sameshape as the second opening OP2. For example, if the second opening OP2has a diamond shape, the dummy electrode 190 may also have a diamondshape.

The dummy electrode 190 may be disposed in the second opening OP2 andspaced apart from the second touch electrode 131. That is to say, thedummy electrode 190 may be an island-shaped conductive pattern. In someexemplary embodiments, the dummy electrode 190 may be floating.

The dummy electrode 190 may be located in the same first layer L1 withthe first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and the firstresistance line 151 a and may be made of the same conductive material asthe first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and the firstresistance line 151 a.

In some exemplary embodiments, when the second touch electrode 131 has amesh structure, the dummy electrode 190 may also have a mesh structure,as shown in FIG. 8.

The noise sensing electrode members 170 may be positioned in theelectrode rows of the first electrode members 120 and may be disposed onelectrode rows different from the electrode rows where the first straingauge 150 a and the third strain gauge 150 c are disposed. For example,the noise sensing electrode members 170 may be disposed in the thirdelectrode row RE3, the fourth electrode row RE4, the fifth electrode rowRE5, the sixth electrode row RE6, the seventh electrode row RE7 and theeighth electrode row REB, and may be spaced from one another in thesecond direction y.

Each of the noise sensing electrode members 170 may include a noisesensing electrode 171 and a third connecting part 173.

The noise sensing electrode 171 may be disposed in the first opening OP1of the first touch electrodes 121 and may be spaced apart from the firsttouch electrodes 121. In some exemplary embodiments, the noise sensingelectrode 171 may be located in the same first layer L1 with the firsttouch electrodes 121 and may be made of the same material as the firsttouch electrodes 121.

In some exemplary embodiments, when the first touch electrodes 121 havea mesh structure, the noise sensing electrodes 171 may also have a meshstructure, as shown in FIG. 7.

In some exemplary embodiments, the area of the first opening OP1 may besmaller than the area of the second opening OP2, and accordingly thearea of the noise sensing electrode 171 may be smaller than the area ofthe dummy electrode 190.

The third connecting part 173 may electrically connect two noise sensingelectrodes 171 that are adjacent to each other in the first direction xamong the noise sensing electrodes 171 located in the same electroderow. In some exemplary embodiments, the third connecting part 173 may belocated in the same second layer L2 with the first connecting part 123,and may be made of the same material as the first connecting part 123.

In some exemplary embodiments, the noise sensing electrode 171 may beconnected to the third connecting part 173 through a second contact holeCH2 formed in the insulating layer IL.

The third connecting part 173 may be spaced apart from the firstelectrode member 120, the second electrode member 130, the first straingauge 150 a, the second strain gauge 150 b, the third strain gauge 150 cand the fourth strain gauge 150 d.

In some exemplary embodiments, lines 901, 903, 903′, and 905 and signallines 9111, 9112, 9113, 9114, 9115, 9116, 9117 and 9118 may be disposedin the peripheral area NSA of the base layer 110, as shown in FIG. 3.

For example, the lines 901, 903 and 905 may include first lines 901connected to the respective first electrode members 120, second lines903 connected to the respective second electrode members 130, thirdlines 903′ connected to the other ends of the respective secondelectrode members 130, and fourth lines 905 connected to the respectivenoise sensing electrode members 170. As used herein, the other ends ofthe second lines 903 refer to the opposite side of the one ends of thesecond electrode members 130 to which the second lines 903 areconnected. That is to say, the lines connected to the second electrodemembers 130 may have a double routing structure, and accordingly RCdelay caused by the resistance of the second electrode members 130 andthe like can be reduced. It is, however, to be understood that thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. Unlike that shown in FIG. 3,the second lines 903 may be connected to one ends of the secondelectrode members 130 whereas no other lines may be connected to theother ends of the second electrode members 130. That is to say, in otherexemplary embodiments, the lines connected to the second electrodemembers 130 may have a single routing structure.

The signal lines 9111, 9112, 9113, 9114, 9115, 9116, 9117 and 9118 mayinclude the first signal line 9111, the second signal line 9112, thethird signal line 9113, the fourth signal line 9114, the fifth signalline 9115, the sixth signal line 9116, the seventh signal line 9117, andthe eighth signal line 9118.

The first signal line 9111 may be connected to one end of the firststrain gauge 150 a, and the second signal line 9112 may be connected tothe other end of the first strain gauge 150 a. The third signal line9113 may be connected to one end of the second strain gauge 150 b, andthe fourth signal line 9114 may be connected to the other end of thesecond strain gauge 150 b. The fifth signal line 9115 may be connectedto one end of the third strain gauge 150 c, and the sixth signal line9116 may be connected to the other end of the third strain gauge 150 c.The seventh signal line 9117 may be connected to one end of the fourthstrain gauge 150 d, and the eighth signal line 9118 may be connected tothe other end of the first strain gauge 150 a.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second signal line 9112 may beconnected to the third signal line 9113, the fourth signal line 9114 maybe connected to the fifth signal line 9115, and the sixth signal line9116 may be connected to the seventh signal line 9117.

Pad portions TP1 and TP2 may be disposed on the peripheral area NSA ofthe base layer 110. The pad portions TP1 and TP2 may be electricallyconnected to the lines 901, 903 and 905 and the signal lines 9111, 9112,9113, 9114, 9115, 9116, 9117 and 9118. The controller 200 may beelectrically connected to the pad portions TP1 and TP2.

In some exemplary embodiments, the pad portions TP1 and TP2 may includea first pad portion TP1 and a second pad portion TP2 that are spacedapart from each other in the first direction x. For example, the firstpad portion TP1 may be connected to the second line 903, the third line903′ and the fourth line 905. The second pad portion TP2 may beconnected to the first line 901. In addition, the first pad portion TP1may be connected to the first signal line 9111, the third signal line9113, the fifth signal line 9115, the seventh signal line 9117 and theeighth signal line 9118. It is, however, to be understood that this ismerely illustrative. For example and in the alternative, the first padportion TP1 and the second pad portion TP2 may not be spaced apart fromeach other but may form a single pad portion. In addition, the lines andsignal lines connected to the first pad portion TP1 and the second padportion TP2 may be variously changed.

In the touch sensor TSM according to the above-described exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure, the first touch electrodes 121,the second touch electrode 131, the first resistance line 151 a, thesecond resistance line 153 a, the third resistance line 151 b, thefourth resistance line 153 b, the fifth resistance line 151 c, the sixthresistance line 153 c, the seventh resistance line 151 d and the eighthresistance line 153 d are located in the same first layer L1, and thusthere are advantages in that they can be produced simultaneously duringthe same process, and that the fabricating process can become simpler.In addition, as the first touch electrode 121, the second touchelectrode 131, the first resistance line 151 a, the second resistanceline 153 a, the third resistance line 151 b, the fourth resistance line153 b, the fifth resistance line 151 c, the sixth resistance line 153 c,the seventh resistance line 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 dare located in the same first layer L1, there is an advantage in thatthe touch sensor TSM can have the pressure sensing capability with thereduced thickness.

In addition, as the connecting lines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b, 155 c,157 c, 155 d and 157 d are located in the same second layer L2 with thefirst connecting parts 123, there are advantages in that the connectinglines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b, 155 c, 157 c, 155 d and 157 d of thestrain gauges 150 can be simultaneously formed in the same process andthus the fabricating process becomes simpler.

In addition, as the touch sensor TSM includes the noise sensingelectrode members 170, it is possible to suppress malfunction of thetouch sensor TSM and to improve the sensitivity of the sensor. Inaddition, as the noise sensing electrodes 171 are disposed in the firstlayer L1 and the third connecting parts 173 are disposed in the secondlayer L2, the fabricating process of the touch sensor TSM can becomesimpler, and the thickness of the touch sensor TSM can be reduced withthe noise sensing capability.

In addition, as some of the signal lines 9111, 9112, 9113, 9114, 9115,9116, 9117 and 9118 are connected to one another in the peripheral areaNSA and only some of the signal lines are connected to the pad portionsTP1 and TP2, the area of the peripheral area NSA occupied by the signallines 9111, 9112, 9113, 9114, 9115, 9116, 9117 and 9118 can be reduced,and the area occupied by the pad portions (e.g., the first pad portionTP1) can be reduced.

In some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, thestructure of the touch sensor TSM, especially the positions of the firstresistance line 151 a, the second resistance line 153 a, the thirdresistance line 151 b, the fourth resistance line 153 b, the fifthresistance line 151 c, the sixth resistance line 153 c, the seventhresistance line 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 d may bealtered.

FIG. 24 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according to amodification of the example shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 25 is a view showing astructure of a second layer according to a modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 13. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a modification ofthe example shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of amodification of the example shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 28 is across-sectional view of a modification of the example shown in FIG. 18.FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the example shownin FIG. 19. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a modification of theexample shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of amodification of the example shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 32 is across-sectional view of a modification of the example shown in FIG. 22.

Referring to FIGS. 24 to 32, in some modifications, the first resistanceline 151 a, the second resistance line 153 a, the third resistance line151 b, the fourth resistance line 153 b, the fifth resistance line 151c, the sixth resistance line 153 c, the seventh resistance line 151 dand the eighth resistance line 153 d may be disposed in a layerdifferent from the first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131, unlikethe examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 13 to 23. For example, the first touchelectrodes 121 and the second touch electrode 131 may be disposed in afirst layer L1_1, while the first resistance line 151 a, the secondresistance line 153 a, the third resistance line 151 b, the fourthresistance line 153 b, the fifth resistance line 151 c, the sixthresistance line 153 c, the seventh resistance line 151 d and the eighthresistance line 153 d may be disposed in a second layer L2_1, where theconnecting lines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b, 155 c, 157 c, 155 d and 157d, and the first connecting part 123 are disposed, and may be made ofthe same material as the connecting lines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b,155 c, 157 c, 155 d and 157 d, and the first connecting part 123.

According to the modification, the first connecting pattern 159 a, thesecond connecting pattern 159 b, the third connecting pattern 159 c andthe fourth connecting pattern 159 d may be located in the same secondlayer L2_1 with the first connecting part 123 and may be made of thesame material as the first connecting part 123.

FIG. 34 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according toanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 35 is a viewshowing a structure of a second layer according to another modificationof the example shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view ofanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 37 is across-sectional view of another modification of the example shown inFIG. 17. FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of another modification ofthe example shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view ofanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 40 is across-sectional view of another modification of the example shown inFIG. 20. FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view of another modification ofthe example shown in FIG. 21. FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view ofanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 43 is across-sectional view of another modification of the example shown inFIG. 23.

Referring to FIG. 34 to 43, unlike the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 13to 23, in some other modifications, the first resistance line 151 a, thethird resistance line 151 b, the fifth resistance line 151 c and theseventh resistance line 151 d may be located in the same first layerL1_2 with the first and second touch electrodes 121 and 131 and may bemade of the same material as the first and second touch electrodes 121and 131. The second resistance line 153 a, the fourth resistance line153 b, the sixth resistance line 153 c and the eighth resistance line153 d may be located in the same second layer L2_2 with the connectinglines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b, 155 c, 157 c, 155 d and 157 d and thefirst connecting part 123 and may be made of the same material as theconnecting lines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b, 1556 c, 157 c, 155 d and157 d and the first connecting part 123.

In some exemplary embodiments, when the first connecting part 123 andthe first touch electrode 121 are made of different materials, the firstresistance line 151 a, the third resistance line 151 b, the fifthresistance line 151 c and the seventh resistance line 151 d may be madeof a different material from that of the second resistance line 153 a,the fourth resistance line 153 b, the sixth resistance line 153 c andthe eighth resistance line 153 d.

In the drawings, the first resistance line 151 a and the secondresistance line 153 a do not overlap with each other when viewed fromthe top. It is, however, to be understood that the present disclosure isnot limited thereto. The first resistance line 151 a and the secondresistance line 153 a are located in different layers and thus the firstresistance line 151 a and the fourth resistance line 153 a overlap witheach other. Besides, the overlapping relationship between the thirdresistance line 151 b and the fourth resistance line 153 b, theoverlapping relationship between the fifth resistance line 151 c and thesixth 151 d and the eighth resistance line 153 d may also be modifiedlike the overlapping relationship between the first resistance line 151a and the second resistance line 153 a.

According to this modification, the first connecting pattern 159 a, thesecond connecting pattern 159 b, the third connecting pattern 159 c andthe fourth connecting pattern 159 d may also be located in the samesecond layer L2_2 with the first connecting part 123 and may be made ofthe same material as the first connecting part 123.

In the first electrode column CE1, the first resistance line 151 a maybe connected to the first connecting pattern 159 a through an eleventhcontact hole CH11 formed in the insulating layer IL, and the thirdresistance line 151 c may be connected to the third connecting pattern159 c through a thirteenth contact hole CH13 formed in the insulatinglayer IL. In addition, in the first column CO1, the second resistanceline 151 b may be connected to the second connecting pattern 159 bthrough a twelfth contact hole CH12 formed in the insulating layer IL,and the fourth resistance line 151 d may be connected to the fourthconnecting pattern 159 d through a fourteenth contact hole CH14 formedin the insulating layer IL.

In addition to the above, the structure of the sensor part 100 may bevariously modified.

For example, the first electrode row RE1 and the second electrode rowRE2 have the structures shown in FIGS. 24 to 32, and the first row RO1and the second row RO2 may be the structures shown in FIGS. 34 to 43.Alternatively, the first electrode row RE1 and the first row RO1 mayhave the structures shown in FIGS. 24 to 32, and the second electroderow RE2 and the second row RO2 may be the structures shown in FIGS. 34to 43. Besides, the above-described exemplary embodiments may becombined and modified in a variety of ways.

Incidentally, according to some exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the base layer 110 of the sensor part 100 may be a thin-filmencapsulation layer of the organic light-emitting display panel. In sucha case, the base layer 110 may be implemented either as multiple layersincluding at least one organic layer and inorganic layer or as a singlelayer including a combination of organic materials. For example, thebase layer 110 may be implemented as multiple layers including at leasttwo inorganic layers and at least one organic layer interposed betweenthe inorganic layers. As such, in the display device in which the baselayer 110 is implemented as the thin-film encapsulation layer of theorganic light-emitting display panel, the electrodes of the sensor part100 and the elements of the display panel 300 may be disposed ondifferent surfaces of the base layer 110.

FIG. 44 is an enlarged plan view of portion Q5 of FIG. 6. FIG. 45 is across-sectional view of an example of the sensor part and the displaypanel, taken along line X11-X11′ in FIG. 44.

Referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, the sensor part 100 may include thethin-film encapsulation layer of the display panel (e.g., an organiclight-emitting display panel) 300 as a base layer 110. In other words,the display panel 300 and the sensor part 100 may be formed integrally.In the following description, the base layer 110 and the thin-filmencapsulation layer are denoted by the same reference numerals. Forconvenience of illustration, FIG. 45 shows only a light-emitting element(e.g., an organic light-emitting diode, OLED) and a single thin filmtransistor (TFT) connected thereto among the elements disposed in eachpixel of the display panel 300.

The display panel 300 includes a base substrate 330, a light-emittingdiode OLED disposed on one surface of the base substrate 330, and athin-film encapsulation layer 110 disposed over the light-emitting diodeOLED to cover at least the light-emitting diode OLED. In addition,according to some exemplary embodiments, the display panel 300 mayfurther include at least one thin film transistor (TFT) connected to thelight-emitting diode OLED. The thin film transistor TFT may be disposedbetween the base substrate 330 and the light-emitting diode OLED.

Besides, the display panel 300 may further include one or more powersupply lines, signal lines, and/or capacitors (not shown).

According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, thebase substrate 330 may be a rigid substrate or a flexible substrate, andthe material thereof is not particularly limited herein. For example,the base substrate 330 may be a thin film substrate having flexibility.

A buffer layer BFL is disposed on a surface of the base substrate 330.The buffer layer BFL can prevent impurities from diffusing from the basesubstrate 330 and can improve the flatness of the base substrate 330.The buffer layer BFL may be implemented as a single layer or as two ormore layers. The buffer layer BFL may be an inorganic insulating layermade of an inorganic material. For example, the buffer layer BFL may beformed of silicon nitride, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, etc.

The thin-film transistor TFT is disposed on the buffer layer BFL. Thethin-film transistor TFT includes an active layer ACT, a gate electrodeGE, a source electrode SE and a drain electrode DE. According to someexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the active layer ACT isdisposed on the buffer layer BFL and may be made of a semiconductormaterial. For example, the active layer ACT may be a semiconductorpattern made of polysilicon, amorphous silicon, oxide semiconductor,etc. A region (e.g., a region overlapping the gate electrode) of theactive layer ACT may not be doped with impurities, while the rest regionthereof may be doped with the impurities.

A gate insulating layer GI may be disposed on the active layer ACT, andthe gate electrode GE may be disposed on the gate insulating layer GI.In addition, an interlayer dielectric layer ILA may be disposed on thegate electrode GE, and the source electrode SE and the drain electrodeDE may be disposed on the interlayer dielectric layer ILA. The sourceelectrode SE and the drain electrode DE may be in contact with andelectrically connected to the active layer ACT through the respectivecontact holes CHA passing through the gate insulating layer GI and theinterlayer dielectric layer ILA.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, apassivation layer PSV is disposed over the source electrode SE and thedrain electrode DE. The passivation layer PSV may cover the thin filmtransistor TFT.

The light-emitting diode OLED is formed on the passivation layer PSV.The light-emitting diode OLED may include a first electrode EL1, asecond electrode EL2 and an emissive layer EML interposed between thefirst electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2. According to someexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first electrode EL1of the light-emitting diode OLED may be, but is not limited to, an anodeelectrode. The first electrode EL1 of the light-emitting diode OLED isin contact with and electrically connected to one electrode of the thinfilm transistor TFT, for example, the drain electrode DE via a contacthole CHB penetrating the passivation layer PSV.

A pixel-defining layer PDL for defining a light-emitting area PXA ofeach pixel is disposed on the side of the base substrate 330 on whichthe first electrode EL1 of the light-emitting diode OLED and the likeare formed. The pixel-defining layer PDL may expose the upper surface ofthe first electrode EL1 and may protrude from the base substrate 330along the periphery of each pixel area.

The emissive layer EML disposed in the light-emitting area PXAsurrounded by the pixel-defining layer PDL. For example, the emissivelayer EML may be disposed on the exposed surface of the first electrodeEL1. According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,the emissive layer EML may have a multilayer thin-film structureincluding at least a light generation layer. For example, the emissivelayer EML may include a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, alight generation layer, a hole blocking layer (HBL), an electrontransport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL). Accordingto some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the color oflight generated in the emissive layer EML may be, but is not limited to,one of red, green, and blue. For example, the color of light generatedin the emissive layer EML may be one of magenta, cyan and yellow.

A second electrode EL2 of the light-emitting diode OLED may be disposedon the emissive layer EML. The second electrode EL2 of thelight-emitting diode OLED may be a cathode electrode.

The thin-film encapsulation layer 110 covering the second electrode EL2of the light-emitting diode OLED may be disposed on the second electrodeEL2 of the light-emitting diode OLED. The thin-film encapsulation layer110 seals the light-emitting diode OLED. The thin-film encapsulationlayer 110 includes at least one inorganic layer (hereinafter referred toas an encapsulation inorganic layer). The thin-film encapsulation layer110 may further include at least one organic layer (hereinafter referredto as an encapsulation organic layer). The encapsulation inorganic layerprotects the light-emitting diode OLED from moisture/oxygen, and theencapsulation organic layer protects the light-emitting diode OLED fromforeign substances such as dust particles. By sealing the light-emittingdiode OLED by utilizing the thin-film encapsulation layer 110, thethickness of the display device may be reduced and the display devicemay have flexibility.

The thin-film encapsulation layer 110 may be made up of either multiplelayers or a single layer. For example, the thin-film encapsulation layer110 may include a first encapsulation inorganic layer 111, anencapsulation organic layer 112 and a second encapsulation inorganiclayer 113 stacked on the second electrode EL2 in this order.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first encapsulation inorganiclayer 111 and the second encapsulation inorganic layer 113 may be madeof silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, zirconium nitride, titaniumnitride, hafnium nitride, tantalum nitride, silicon oxide, aluminumoxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, cerium oxide, silicon oxynitride(SiON), lithium fluoride, and the like.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the encapsulation organiclayer 112 may be made of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene,vinyl resin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, cellulose resin and peryleneresin.

It is to be noted that the structure of the thin-film encapsulationlayer 110 is not limited to the above example. The stack structure ofthe thin-film encapsulation layer 110 may be altered in a variety ofways.

The elements of the second layer L2 may be disposed on the thin-filmencapsulation layer 110. The insulating layer IL may be disposed on thesecond layer L2 and the first layer L1 may be disposed on the insulatinglayer IL. In the drawings, the first touch electrodes 121 are shown asthe elements of the first layer L1. As described above, the first touchelectrodes 121 may have a mesh structure to prevent the first touchelectrodes 121 from being visible to the user and may be disposed tooverlap the light-emitting area PXA. In other words, a mesh holeoverlapping with the light-emitting area PXA may be defined in each ofthe first touch electrodes 121 having the mesh structure.

In the display device 1 according to the above-described exemplaryembodiment, the display panel 300 may be implemented as an organiclight-emitting display panel having the thin-film encapsulation layer110, on which the elements of the sensor part 100 are disposed. Forexample, the connecting lines 155 a, 157 a, 155 b, 157 b, 155 c, 157 c,155 d and 157 d, the first connecting part 123 and the third connectingpart 173 are disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer 110 may bedisposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer 110, the insulating layerIL may be disposed on them, and the first touch electrodes 121, thesecond touch electrode 131, the second connection portion 133 and theresistance lines 151 a, 153 a, 151 b, 153 b, 151 c, 153 c, 151 d and 153d, the noise sensing electrode 171, the dummy electrode 190, etc. may bedisposed on the insulating layer IL.

Hereinafter, an operation of detecting a touch position by thecontroller 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 46.

FIG. 46 is a view for illustrating an operation of detecting a touchposition according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 46, the touch driver 210 may provide a driving signalTs to the second electrode members 130 through the second line 903 andthe third line 903′ as shown in FIG. 3. In some exemplary embodiments,the driving signal Ts may be sequentially provided to each of the secondelectrode members 130.

The touch detector 230 may receive a sensing signal Rs from the firstelectrode members 120 through the first lines 901 as shown in FIG. 3. Insome exemplary embodiments, the sensing signal Rs may containinformation on the amount of the change in the mutual capacitancebetween the first electrode members 120 and the second electrode members130, as described above. When the driving signal Ts is applied to thesecond electrode members 130, mutual capacitance Cm is formed betweenthe second electrode members 130 and the first electrode members 120.When the touch input is made, the mutual capacitance Cm changes, and thesensing signal Rs may contain the information on the amount the changedmutual capacitance.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch detector 230 may include atleast one amplifier such as an operational (OP) amplifier, ananalog-to-digital converter 233 and a processor 235.

The amplifier 231 may include a first input terminal 231 a, a secondinput terminal 231 b, and an output terminal 231 c. According to someexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first inputterminal 231 a of the amplifier 231, e.g., the inverting input terminalof the OP amplifier may be electrically connected to the first electrodemembers 120 via the first line 901. The sensing signal Rs may be inputto the first input terminal 231 a.

According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, thesecond input terminal 231 b of the amplifier 231, e.g., thenon-inverting input terminal of the OP amplifier may be electricallyconnected to the noise sensing electrode members 170 via the fourth line905 as shown in FIG. 3. The sensing signal Rs may be input to the secondinput terminal 231 b of the amplifier 231. Accordingly, a referencevoltage of each amplifier 231 fluctuates together with the voltagefluctuation of the respective noise sensing electrode members 170. Thatis to say, the reference potential of each amplifier 231 may be variedaccording to the potential (voltage level) of the noise sensingelectrode members 170.

The potential of the noise sensing electrode members 170 may be variedaccording to a noise signal introduced into the sensor part 100 from thedisplay panel 300 or the like. For example, the potential of the noisesensing electrode members 170 may be varied in response to a common modenoise introduced into the sensor part 100 from the display panel 300 orthe like.

Accordingly, by further disposing the noise sensing electrode member 170in the sensing area SA and by changing the reference potential of theamplifier 231 using the noise sensing signal Ns sensed by the noisesensing electrode members 170, it is possible to remove or cancel thecommon mode noise introduced into the sensor part 100. Specifically, thefirst electrode member 120 and the noise sensing electrode member 170,which are the sensing electrode members, have corresponding ripples inresponse to the common mode noise. In particular, the first electrodemember 120 and the noise sensing electrode member 170 are extended inthe same direction and are arranged at positions corresponding to eachother in the sensing area SA, so that they receive the noise signal ofthe same or very similar shape and/or size. In addition, the firstelectrode members 120 is electrically connected to the first inputterminal 231 a of the amplifier 231 via the first line 901, and thenoise sensing electrode members 170 is electrically connected to thesecond input terminal 231 b of the amplifier 231 via the fourth line 905which is different from the first line 901. Therefore, the noisecomponents (ripples) included in the sensing signal Rs received from thefirst electrode members 120 can be effectively canceled. Accordingly,the signal may be output from the output terminal 231 c of the amplifier231 after a noise is removed therefrom.

In some exemplary embodiments, a capacitor C and a reset switch SW maybe connected in parallel between the first input terminal 231 a and theoutput terminal 231 c of the amplifier 231.

Although the amplifier 231 is implemented as a non-inverting amplifierin the above example, it is to be understood that the present disclosureis not limited thereto. In another exemplary embodiment, the amplifier231 may be implemented as an inverting amplifier or the like.

The output terminal 231 c of the amplifier 231 may be electricallyconnected to the analog-to-digital converter 233.

The analog-to-digital converter 233 can receive an analog signal toconvert it into a digital signal. According to some exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure, the number of theanalog-to-digital converters 233 may be equal to the number of the firstelectrode members 120. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment,the first electrode members 120 may share a single analog-to-digitalconverter 233. In such case, a switching circuit for channel selectionmay be additionally disposed.

The processor 235 processes the converted signal (digital signal) fromthe analog-to-digital converter 233 and detects a touch input based onresults of the signal processing. For example, the processor 235 maycomprehensively analyze the first sensing signal amplified by theamplifier 231 and converted by the analog-to-digital converter 233 todetect if there is a touch input and its position if any. According tosome exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor 235may be implemented as a microprocessor (MPU). In such case, a memoryrequired for driving the processor 235 may be additionally disposed inthe touch detector 230. It is to be noted that the configuration of theprocessor 235 is not limited thereto. As another example, the processor235 may be implemented as a microcontroller (MCU) or the like.

The touch sensor TSM according to the above-described exemplaryembodiment can effectively cancel the noise signal introduced from thedisplay panel 300 or the like and can improve the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR). Accordingly, malfunction of the touch sensor TSM due to a noisesignal can be suppressed, and the sensitivity can be improved.

Hereinafter, an operation of detecting a touch pressure by thecontroller 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 47and 48.

FIG. 47 is a plan view schematically showing the arrangement of thefirst strain gauge, the second strain gauge, the third strain gauge, thefourth strain gauge, the first to the eighth signal lines shown in FIG.3 and the connection of the Wheatstone bridge circuit. FIG. 48 is acircuit diagram for illustrating an operation of detecting a touchpressure of a touch sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure, specifically showing the Wheatstone bridge circuitelectrically connected to the first strain gauge, the second straingauge, the third strain gauge and the fourth strain gauge shown in FIG.47.

Referring to FIGS. 47 and 48, the first strain gauge 150 a may includeone end E1 a and another end E2 a both located at one side of thesensing area SA. As described above, the end E1 a of the first straingauge 150 a may be connected to the first signal line 9111 while the endE2 a of the first strain gauge 150 a may be connected to the secondsignal line 9112.

The second strain gauge 150 b may include one end E1 b and another endE2 b both located at one side (e.g., the left side) of the sensing areaSA. The end E1 b of the second strain gauge 150 b may be connected tothe third signal line 9113 while the end E2 b of the second strain gauge150 b may be connected to the fourth signal line 9114.

The third strain gauge 150 c may include one end E1 c and another end E2c both located at one side (e.g., the left side) of the sensing area SA.The end E1 c of the third strain gauge 150 c may be connected to thefifth signal line 9115 while the end E2 c of the third strain gauge 150c may be connected to the sixth signal line 9116.

The fourth strain gauge 150 d may include one end E1 d and another endE2 d both located at one side of the sensing area SA. The end E1 d ofthe fourth strain gauge 150 d may be connected to the seventh signalline 9117 while the end E2 d of the fourth strain gauge 150 d may beconnected to the eighth signal line 9118.

In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 47, the end E1 a and theother end E2 a of the first strain gauge 150 a, the end E1 b and theother end E2 b of the second strain gauge 150 b, the end E1 c and theother end E2 c of the third strain gauge 150 c, and the end E1 d and theother end E2 d of the fourth strain gauge 150 d may be all located onone side of the sensing area SA, e.g., the left side of the sensing areaSA in the drawings.

As described above, in the periphery area NSA, the second signal line9112 may be connected to the third signal line 9113, the fourth signalline 9114 may be connected to the fifth signal line 9115, and the sixthsignal line 9116 may be connected to the seventh signal line 9117. As aresult, the area occupied by the signal lines can be reduced.

The pressure detector 250 may include a Wheatstone bridge circuit WB.

The Wheatstone bridge circuit WB includes a first node N1, a second nodeN2, a first output node N3, and a second output node N4. In someexemplary embodiments, a driving voltage Vd may be applied to the firstnode N1, and a reference voltage Vref may be applied to the second nodeN2. For example, the reference voltage Vref may be a ground voltage.

In some exemplary embodiments, the Wheatstone bridge circuit WB mayfurther include a first element 253 connected to the first output nodeN3 and the second output node N4, and a second element 255 connected tothe first node N1 and the second node N2.

The first element 253 may sense the electrical flow between the firstoutput node N3 and the second output node N4. For example, the firstelement 253 may be a current detector or a voltage measurer.

The second element 255 may be a voltage supply element for supplying avoltage to the first node N1 and the second node N2. In some exemplaryembodiments, the second element 255 may provide a driving voltage Vd tothe first node N1 and a reference voltage Vref to the second node N2.

The first strain gauge 150 a, the second strain gauge 150 b, the thirdstrain gauge 150 c and the fourth strain gauge 150 d may be electricallyconnected to the Wheatstone bridge circuit WB.

More specifically, in some exemplary embodiments, the end E1 a of thefirst strain gauge 150 a may be electrically connected to the first nodeN1 via the first signal line 9111, and the other end E2 a of the firststrain gauge 150 a may be connected to the second output node N4 via thesecond signal line 9112 and the third signal line 9113. In addition, theend E1 b of the second strain gauge 150 b may be electrically connectedto the second output node N4 via the third signal line 9113, and theother end E2 b of the second strain gauge 150 b may be connected to thesecond output node N2 via the fourth signal line 9114 and the fifthsignal line 9115. In addition, the end E1 c of the third strain gauge150 c may be electrically connected to the second node N2 via the fifthsignal line 9115, and the other end E2 c of the third strain gauge 150 cmay be connected to the first output node N3 via the sixth signal line9116 and the seventh signal line 9117. In addition, the end E1 d of thefourth strain gauge 150 d may be electrically connected to the firstoutput node N3 via the seventh signal line 9117, and the other end E2 dof the fourth strain gauge 150 d may be connected to the first node N1via the eighth signal line 9118.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the first strain gauge 150 a,the second strain gauge 150 b, the third strain gauge 150 c and thefourth strain gauge 150 d may be electrically connected to one anotherto form the Wheatstone bridge circuit WB, as described above.

In some exemplary embodiments, when no touch input is made or when noexternal force is applied, the resistance value Ra of the first straingauge 150 a, the resistance value Rb of the second strain gauge 150 b,the resistance value Rc of the third strain gauge 150 c and theresistance value Rd of the fourth strain gauge 150 d may besubstantially all equal.

When no touch input is made on the sensor part 100, the resistance valueRa of the first strain gauge 150 a, the resistance value Rb of thesecond strain gauge 150 b, the resistance value Rc of the third straingauge 150 c and the resistance value Rd of the fourth strain gauge 150 dmay remain equivalent. For example, a value obtained by multiplying theresistance value Ra of the first strain gauge 150 a by the resistancevalue Rc of the third strain gauge 150 c may be substantially equal to avalue obtained by multiplying the resistance value Rb of the secondstrain gauge 150 b by the resistance value Received of the fourth straingauge 150 d. That is to say, the voltage at the first output node N3 maybe equal to the voltage at the second output node N4 while no touchinput is made on the sensor part 100.

When a touch input is made on the sensor part 100, the shape of at leastone of the first strain gauge 150 a, the second strain gauge 150 b, thethird strain gauge 150 c and the fourth strain gauge 150 d may bedeformed by the intensity of the touch. As the shape is deformed, atleast one of the resistance value Ra of the first strain gauge 150 a,the resistance value Rb of the second strain gauge 150 b, the resistancevalue Rc of the third strain gauge 150 c and the resistance value Rd ofthe fourth strain gauge 150 d may be changed. As a result, a voltagedifference is generated between the first output node N3 and the secondoutput node N4. In addition, by measuring the voltage difference or theamount of current generated by the voltage difference with the firstelement 253, it is possible to detect the intensity of the touch or thepressure of the touch.

It is to be noted that the electric connection between the first tofourth strain gauges 150 a, 150 b, 150 c and 150 d and the Wheatstonebridge circuit WB1 may be altered in a variety of ways. For example, inFIG. 48, the position of the first strain gauge 150 a may beinterchanged with the position of the second strain gauge 150 b.

That is to say, the touch sensor TSM according to the exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure can detect the position of a touchby using the first electrode members 120, the second electrode members130 and the touch driver 210, and can detect the intensity of thepressure by using the first strain gauge 150 a, the second strain gauge150 b, the third strain gauge 150 c, the fourth strain gauge 150 d, andthe pressure detector 250.

The touch sensor TSM according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure can detect the position of a touch by using the firstelectrode members 120, the second electrode members 130 and the touchdriver 210, and can detect the magnitude of the pressure by using thestrain gauges 150 and the pressure detector 250.

The strain gauges 150 of the touch sensor TSM may be used as an inputdevice of various electronic devices including the display device 1. Thestrain gauges 150 may be used to replace a physical input button or beused in combination with a physical input button. For example, thestrain gauges 150 and the pressure detector 250 can be used to detectthe intensity of a pressure, and the pre-programmed operation of thedisplay device 1 can be output according to the intensity of thepressure. For example, pre-programmed functions may be performed, suchas locking the screen, unlocking the screen, switching a hardwareelement (e.g., sensors such as fingerprint sensor) from non-operatingstate to a standby mode or a wake-up mode, switching the screen, callingan application, running an application, capturing a picture, andreceiving a phone call.

FIG. 49 is a plan view of a sensor part of a touch sensor according toanother exemplary embodiment, showing a connection relationship betweenthe sensor part and a controller. FIG. 50 is an enlarged plan view ofthe first strain gauge, the second strain gauge, the third strain gaugeand the fourth strain gauge shown in FIG. 49. FIG. 51 is an enlargedview of portion Qb of FIG. 49. FIG. 52 is a view showing an example ofthe structure a first layer of the sensor part shown in FIG. 51. FIG. 53is an enlarged plan view of Q6 portion of FIG. 52. FIG. 54 is a viewshowing an example of the structure a second layer of the sensor partshown in FIG. 51. FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineXa-Xa′ of FIG. 51.

Referring to FIGS. 49 to 51, a touch sensor TSM-1 according to thisexemplary embodiment includes a sensor part 100-1 and a controller 200.

The sensor part 100-1 is substantially identical to the sensor part 100of the touch sensor TSM except that the former further includes a firststrain gauge 150 a 1 and a third strain gauge 150 c 1. Therefore, thedescription will focus on the differences.

The first strain gauge 150 a 1 further includes a first conductivepattern 152 a and a second conductive pattern 154 a, unlike the firststrain gauge 150 a of the sensor part 100 described above.

The third strain gauge 150 c 1 further includes a third conductivepattern 152 c and a fourth conductive pattern 154 c, unlike the thirdstrain gauge 150 c of the sensor part 100 described above.

As shown in the drawings, the first conductive pattern 152 a and thesecond conductive pattern 154 a may be located in the same first layerL1 a and may be made of the same material as a first resistance line 151a.

The shape of the first conductive pattern 152 a may be different fromthe shape of the first resistance line 151 a when viewed from the top,and the shape of the second conductive pattern 154 a may be differentfrom the shape of the second resistance line 153 a when viewed from thetop.

Like the first conductive pattern 152 a and the second conductivepattern 154 a, the third conductive pattern 152 c and the fourthconductive pattern 154 c may be located in the same first layer L1 awith the first touch electrode 121 and may be made of the same materialas a fifth resistance line 161 a.

On the base layer 110, a first area A11 and a second area A12 adjacentto the first area A11 in the first direction x may be defined. In someexemplary embodiments, the first area A11 may be previously defined inthe touch sensor TSM-1. For example, the first area A11 may be used inplace of a physical input button.

The conductive pattern 152 a and the second conductive pattern 154 a maybe located in the first opening OP1 located in the first area A11 of thefirst electrode row RE1 and may be spaced apart from the first touchelectrodes 121. In some exemplary embodiments, the first conductivepattern 152 a and the second conductive pattern 154 a may be spacedapart from each other in the first opening OP1. The first resistanceline 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a may be disposed in thefirst opening OP1 located in the second area A12 different from thefirst area A11 of the first electrode row RE1.

The third conductive pattern 152 c and the fourth conductive pattern 154c may be disposed in the first opening OP1 located in the first area A11of the second electrode row RE2. The third conductive pattern 152 c andthe fourth conductive pattern 154 c may be spaced apart from the firsttouch electrodes 121. The first conductive pattern 152 a and the secondconductive pattern 154 a may be spaced apart from each other in thefirst opening OP1. The fifth resistance line 151 c and the sixthresistance line 153 c may be disposed in the first opening OP1 locatedin the second area A12 different from the first area A11 of the secondelectrode row RE2.

The first conductive pattern 152 a and the first resistance line 151 aadjacent to each other in the first direction x may be electricallyconnected to each other via the first connecting line 155 a located inthe second layer L2 a. In some exemplary embodiments, the firstconductive pattern 152 a may be connected to the first connecting line155 a through a contact hole CHa1 formed in the insulating layer IL. Inaddition, the second conductive pattern 154 a may be electricallyconnected to the third resistance line 153 a adjacent to each other inthe first direction x via the second connecting line 157 a located inthe second layer L2 a. In some exemplary embodiments, the secondconductive pattern 154 a may be connected to the second connecting line157 a through a contact hole CHb1 formed in the insulating layer IL.

The third conductive pattern 152 c may be connected to the fifthresistance line 151 c via the fifth connecting line 155 c. The fourthconductive pattern 154 c may be connected to the sixth resistance line153 c via the sixth connecting line 157 c. Although not shown in thedrawings, A contact hole for connecting the third conductive pattern 152c with the fifth connecting line 155 c and a contact hole for connectingthe fourth conductive pattern 154 c with the sixth connecting line 156 cmay be formed in the insulating layer IL.

In some exemplary embodiments, when the same pressure is applied, achange in the length or the cross-sectional area of the first conductivepattern 152 a may be smaller than a change in the length or thecross-sectional area of the first resistance line 151 a. That is to say,the amount of a change in the resistance value of the first conductivepattern 152 a may be smaller than the amount of a change in theresistance value of the first resistance line 151 a when the samepressure is applied.

Similarly, the amount of a change in the resistance value of the secondconductive pattern 154 a may be smaller than the amount of a change inthe resistance value of the second resistance line 153 a for the samepressure, the amount of a change in the resistance value of the thirdconductive pattern 152 c may be smaller than the amount of a change inthe resistance value of the fifth resistance line 151 c for the samepressure, and the amount of a change in the resistance line 154 c may besmaller than the amount of a change in the resistance value of the sixthresistance line 153 c for the same pressure.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first conductive pattern 152 a andthe second conductive pattern 154 a may have a mesh structure as shownin FIG. 53. The shapes of the third conductive pattern 152 c and thefourth conductive pattern 154 c may be substantially identical to asthose of the first conductive pattern 152 a and the second conductivepattern 154 a.

When a user's touch input is made on the first area A11, the resistancevalue of the first strain gauge 150 a 1 and/or the resistance value ofthe third strain gauge 150 c 1 changes according to the intensity of thetouch input. In addition, the resistance value of the first strain gauge150 a 1 and/or the resistance value of the third strain gauge 150 c 1may change as the user's temperature changes. Therefore, for the firststrain gauge 150 a 1, the amount of a change in the resistance value ofthe first strain gauge 150 a 1 may include the components which changesas the shape is changed during a touch pressure (hereinafter referred toas a pressure resistant components) as well as the components whichchanges based on a change in temperature (hereinafter referred to as atemperature resistant components). The temperature resistant componentsare irrespective of the magnitude of the touch pressure and thus may actas a noise during pressure detection.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the first strain gauge 150 a 1includes the first conductive pattern 152 a and the second conductivepattern 154 a located in the first area A11, and the third strain gauge150 c 1 includes the third conductive pattern 152 c and the fourthconductive pattern 154 c located in the first area A11. Therefore, whena user's touch input is made in the first area A11, there occurssubstantially no change in the resistance value of the first conductivepattern 152 a and the second conductive pattern 154 a, and there occurssubstantially no change in the resistance value of the third conductivepattern 152 c and the fourth conductive pattern 154 c. The heatgenerated by the user's temperature is transferred to the firstresistance line 151 a and the second resistance line 153 a from thefirst conductive pattern 152 a and the second conductive pattern 154 a,and is transferred to the fifth resistance line 151 c and the sixthresistance line 153 c from the third conductive pattern 152 c and thefourth conductor pattern 154 c. Accordingly, a change in the resistancevalue occurs in the first strain gauge 150 a 1 and the third straingauge 150 c 1 based on the temperature change.

That is to say, when a touch input is made, in the first strain gauges150 a 1 and the third strain gauges 150 c 1, substantially no changeoccurs due to the intensity of the touch input but a change occurs inthe resistance value due to the temperature change. In addition, when atouch input is made in the first area A11, there occurs a change in theresistance value due to the shape change and a change in the resistancevalue due to the temperature change in the second strain gauge 150 b andthe fourth strain gauge 150 d. Therefore, it is possible to compensatefor the components based on the temperature change among the change inthe resistance value of the second strain gauge 150 b and the fourthstrain gauge 150 d by using the change in the resistance value generatedbased on the temperature change in the first strain gauge 150 a 1 andthe third strain gauge 150 c 1.

According to some modifications, the structure of the touch sensorTSM-1, especially the positions of the first conductive pattern 152 a,the second conductive pattern 154 a, the third conductive pattern 152 cand the fourth conductive pattern 154 c may be altered.

FIG. 56 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according to amodification of the example shown in FIG. 52. FIG. 57 is a view showinga structure of a second layer according to a modification of the exampleshown in FIG. 54.

Referring to FIGS. 56 and 57, in some modifications, unlike the examplesshown in FIGS. 49 to 51, the first conductive pattern 152 a, the secondconductive pattern 154 a, the third conductive pattern 152 c and thefourth conductive pattern 152 c may be located in a different layer thanthe first touch electrodes 121. For example, the first touch electrodes121 may be located in the first layer L1 a_1, and the first conductivepattern 152 a, the second conductive pattern 154 a, the third conductivepattern 152 c and the fourth conductive pattern 154 c may be located inthe same second layer L2 a_1 with the first connecting line 155 a andthe second connecting line 157 a.

FIG. 58 is a view showing a structure of a first layer according toanother modification of the example shown in FIG. 52. FIG. 59 is a viewshowing a structure of a second layer according to another modificationof the example shown in FIG. 54.

Referring to FIGS. 58 and 59, unlike the examples shown in FIGS. 49 to51, in some other modifications, the first conductive pattern 152 a andthe third conductive pattern 152 c (see FIG. 50) may be located in thesame first layer L1 a_2 with the first touch electrode 121, and thesecond conductive pattern 154 a and the fourth conductive pattern 154 c(see FIG. 50) may be located in the same second layer L2 a_2 with thefirst connecting line 155 a and the second connecting line 157 a. In thedrawings, the first conductive pattern 152 a and the second resistanceline 154 a do not overlap with each other when viewed from the top. Itis, however, to be understood that the present disclosure is not limitedthereto. The first conductive pattern 152 a and the second conductivepattern 154 a are located in different layers and thus the firstconductive pattern 152 a and the fourth conductive pattern 154 a mayoverlap with each other. The relationship between the third conductivepattern 152 c (see FIG. 50) and the fourth conductive pattern 154 c (seeFIG. 50) may be modified similarly to the relationship between the firstconductive pattern 152 a and the second conductive pattern 154 a.

In the touch sensor according to the above-described exemplaryembodiments and the display device including the touch sensor, since thestrain gauges are located in the touch sensor, it is possible to detectthe magnitude of a pressure even without a separate pressure sensor. Inaddition, there are advantages in that the strain gauges can be producedtogether during the process of fabricating the touch electrodes and theconnecting parts, and that the thickness of the touch sensor is notincreased even if the strain gauges are added. In addition, since thestrain gauges can be used in place of physical input buttons or incombination with the physical input buttons, it is possible to provide avariety of user interfaces to a user.

In addition, the touch sensor can cancel the noise introduced from thedisplay panel or the like, and thus the touch sensitivity can beimproved.

In addition, according to some exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the touch sensor can compensate for a change in theresistance due to temperature, so that the detection sensitivity of atouch pressure can be improved.

However, the effects of the embodiments are not restricted to the oneset forth herein. The above and other effects of the embodiments willbecome more apparent to one of daily skill in the art to which theembodiments pertain by referencing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch sensor comprising: a base layer; firstelectrode members arranged on the base layer in a first direction andspaced apart from one another in a second direction intersecting thefirst direction, each of the first electrode members comprising a firstopening and a plurality of first touch electrodes electrically connectedto one another in the first direction; second electrode members arrangedon the base layer in the second direction and spaced apart from oneanother in the first direction, each of the second electrode memberscomprising a second opening and a plurality of second touch electrodeselectrically connected to one another in the second directionintersecting the first direction; a first strain gauge comprising aportion located in the first opening and disposed in a first electroderow among electrode rows of the first electrode members; a second straingauge comprising a portion located in the second opening and disposed ina first row among rows of the second touch electrodes; a first signalline connected to one end of the first strain gauge; a second signalline connected to an other end of the first strain gauge and spacedapart from the first signal line; a third signal line connected to oneend of the second strain gauge and the second signal line; a fourthsignal line connected to an other end of the second strain gauge andspaced apart from the third signal line, a dummy pattern located in adifferent area than the second strain gauge, and a plurality of noisesensing electrodes located in a different area than the first straingauge and electrically connected to one another in the first direction,wherein the first touch electrodes, the second touch electrodes, thedummy pattern, and the noise sensing electrode are disposed on a samelayer, wherein the first strain gauge and the second strain gauge areconnected by the second signal line and the third signal line, andwherein an area of the first opening surrounding the first strain gaugeis smaller than an area of the second opening surrounding the secondstrain gauge.
 2. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the first straingauge comprises: a plurality of first resistance lines electricallyconnected to one another in the first direction, and a plurality ofsecond resistance lines electrically connected to one another in thefirst direction, and wherein each of the first resistance lines and eachof the second resistance lines are located in the first opening in thefirst electrode row and are spaced from each other in the first opening.3. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein the first electrode membersfurther comprise first connecting parts each of which connects two firsttouch electrodes, among the first touch electrodes, that are adjacent toeach other in the first direction, and the second electrode membersfurther comprise second connecting parts each of which connects twosecond touch electrodes, among the second touch electrodes, that areadjacent to each other in the second direction, the second connectingparts being insulated from the first connecting parts, wherein the firsttouch electrodes, the second touch electrodes, the first resistancelines and the second resistance lines are located in a same first layer,one of the first connecting parts and the second connecting parts arelocated in a second layer different from the first layer, and an otherof the first connecting parts and the second connecting parts arelocated in the first layer.
 4. The touch sensor of claim 3, wherein thefirst strain gauge comprises: first connecting lines each of whichconnects two first resistance lines, among the first resistance lines,that are adjacent to each other in the first direction, and secondconnecting lines each of which connects two second resistance lines,among the second resistance lines, that are adjacent to each other inthe first direction, and wherein the first connecting lines and thesecond connecting lines are located in the second layer.
 5. The touchsensor of claim 4, wherein the first strain gage further comprises afirst connecting pattern connected to the first resistance lines and thesecond resistance lines and located in a same layer with the firstresistance lines or the second resistance lines, and wherein the firstconnecting pattern is located in an outermost first opening of the firstelectrode row among the first openings.
 6. The touch sensor of claim 4,further comprising: an insulating layer disposed on the base layer,wherein the first connecting lines and the second connecting lines aredisposed on the base layer, wherein the insulating layer is disposed onthe first connecting lines and the second connecting lines, and whereinthe first touch electrodes, the second touch electrodes, the firstresistance lines and the second resistance lines are disposed on theinsulating layer.
 7. The touch sensor of claim 6, wherein the base layercomprises a first encapsulation inorganic layer, an encapsulationorganic layer disposed on the first encapsulation inorganic layer, and asecond encapsulation inorganic layer disposed on the encapsulationorganic layer, and wherein the first connecting lines and the secondconnecting lines are disposed on the second encapsulation inorganiclayer.
 8. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein the first electrodemembers further comprise first connecting parts each of which connectstwo first touch electrodes, among the first touch electrodes, that areadjacent to each other in the first direction, and the second electrodemembers further comprise second connecting parts each of which connectstwo second touch electrodes, among the second touch electrodes, that areadjacent to each other in the second direction, the second connectingparts being insulated from the first connecting parts, wherein the firsttouch electrodes, the second touch electrodes and the first resistancelines are located in a same first layer, one of the first connectingparts and the second connecting parts are located in a second layerdifferent from the first layer, and an other of the first connectingparts and the second connecting parts are located in the first layer,and the second resistance lines are located in the second layer.
 9. Thetouch sensor of claim 2, wherein the first electrode members furthercomprise first connecting parts each of which connects two first touchelectrodes, among the first touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the first direction, and the second electrode members furthercomprise second connecting parts each of which connects two second touchelectrodes, among the second touch electrodes, that are adjacent to eachother in the second direction, the second connecting parts beinginsulated from the first connecting parts, wherein the first touchelectrodes and the second touch electrodes are located in a same firstlayer, one of the first connecting parts and the second connecting partsare located in a second layer different from the first layer, and another of the first connecting parts and the second connecting parts arelocated in the first layer, and the first resistance lines and thesecond resistance lines are located in the second layer.
 10. The touchsensor of claim 2, wherein the second strain gauge comprises: aplurality of third resistance lines electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction, and a plurality of fourth resistancelines electrically connected to one another in the first direction,third connecting lines each of which connects two third resistancelines, among the third resistance lines, that are adjacent to each otherin the first direction, and fourth connecting lines each of whichconnects two fourth resistance lines, among the fourth resistance lines,that are adjacent to each other in the first direction, wherein each ofthe third resistance lines and each of the fourth resistance lines arelocated in the second opening in the first row, and are spaced from eachother in the second opening.
 11. The touch sensor of claim 2, furthercomprising: a third strain gauge located in a second electrode row,among the electrode rows, that is adjacent to the first electrode row inthe second direction of the first electrode members and comprising aportion located in the first opening in the second electrode row; and afourth strain gauge located in a second row, among the rows, that isadjacent to the first row in the second direction of the secondelectrodes and comprising a portion located in second first opening inthe second row, where the first row is located between the firstelectrode row and the second electrode row along the second direction,and the second electrode row is located between the first row and thesecond row along the second direction.
 12. The touch sensor of claim 11,further comprising: a fifth signal line connected to one end of thethird strain gauge and the fourth signal line; a sixth signal lineconnected to another end of the third strain gauge; a seventh signalline connected to one end of the fourth strain gauge and the sixthsignal line; and an eighth signal line connected to another end of thefourth strain gauge.
 13. The touch sensor of claim 12, wherein a sensingarea where the first electrode members and the second electrode membersare disposed, and a peripheral area around the sensing area, are definedin the base layer, wherein the third signal line is connected to thesecond signal line in the peripheral area, the fifth signal line isconnected to the fourth signal line in the peripheral area, and theseventh signal line is connected to the sixth signal line in theperipheral area.
 14. The touch sensor of claim 12, further comprising: aWheatstone bridge circuit comprising a first node to which a drivingvoltage is applied, a second node to which a reference voltage isapplied, a first output node and a second output node, wherein the firstsignal line and the eighth signal line are electrically connected to thefirst node, the third signal line is electrically connected to thesecond output node, the fifth signal line is electrically connected tothe second node, and the seventh signal line is electrically connectedto the first output node.
 15. The touch sensor of claim 2, wherein thebase layer comprises a first area and a second area adjacent to thefirst area in the first direction, wherein the first strain gaugefurther comprises: a first conductive pattern electrically connected tothe first resistance lines in the first direction and having a shapedifferent from that of the first resistance lines, and a secondconductive pattern connected to the second resistance lines in the firstdirection and having a shape different from that of the secondresistance lines, wherein the first conductive pattern and the secondconductive pattern are located in the first opening in the first areaand are spaced apart from each other, and wherein the first resistancelines and the second resistance lines are located in the first openingin the second area.
 16. The touch sensor of claim 15, wherein the firstconductive pattern and the second conductive pattern have a meshstructure.
 17. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein the dummy pattern isdisposed in the second opening located in the different area among thesecond openings and spaced apart from the second touch electrodes, andthe first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes are made of asame material.
 18. The touch sensor of claim 1, wherein each of thenoise sensing electrodes is located in the first opening and spacedapart from the first touch electrodes in the different area.
 19. Thetouch sensor of claim 18, further comprising: a controller configured tocancel a noise in a signal sensed by the first electrode members basedon a noise signal sensed by the noise sensing electrode members.
 20. Atouch sensor comprising: a base layer; a plurality of touch electrodesdisposed on the base layer and arranged in a first direction and havinga first opening and a second opening; and a plurality of strain gaugesincluding a first strain gauge and a second strain gauge, the firststrain gauge comprising a plurality of first resistance lineselectrically connected to one another in the first direction, aplurality of second resistance lines electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction, and a connecting pattern connecting oneof the first resistance lines to one of the second resistance lines, andthe second strain gauge comprising a plurality of third resistance lineselectrically connected to one another in the first direction, aplurality of fourth resistance lines electrically connected to oneanother in the first direction, and a connecting pattern connecting oneof the third resistance lines to one of the fourth resistance lines,wherein each of the first resistance lines is located in the firstopening and is spaced apart from the touch electrode, and each of thesecond resistance lines is located in the first opening and is spacedapart from the touch electrode and the first resistance lines, and eachof the third resistance lines is located in the second opening and isspaced apart from the touch electrode, and each of the fourth resistancelines is located in the second opening and is spaced apart from thetouch electrode and the third resistance lines, wherein each of thefirst resistance lines is connected to a first connecting line disposedoutside of the first opening, and each of the second resistance lines isconnected to a second connecting line disposed outside of the firstopening, each of the third resistance lines is connected to a thirdconnecting line disposed outside of the opening, and each of the fourthresistance lines is connected to a fourth connecting line disposedoutside of the second opening, and wherein an area of the first openingsurrounding the first strain gauge is smaller than an area of the secondopening surrounding the second strain gauge.
 21. The touch sensor ofclaim 20, wherein the first resistance lines or the second resistancelines are located in a same layer with the touch electrodes and are madeof a same material as the touch electrode.
 22. The touch sensor of claim20, wherein the first resistance lines and the second resistance linesare located in a different layer than the touch electrodes.
 23. Thetouch sensor of claim 20, further comprising: a noise sensing electrodelocated in a different area than the strain gauge, wherein the noisesensing electrode is located in the opening in the different area and isspaced apart from the touch electrodes.
 24. The touch sensor of claim23, wherein the noise sensing electrode is located in a same layer withthe touch electrodes and is made of a same material as the touchelectrodes.
 25. A display device comprising: a base substrate; alight-emitting diode disposed on the base substrate; a thin-filmencapsulation layer disposed on the light-emitting diode; a plurality oftouch electrode disposed on the thin-film encapsulation layer andcomprising first and second openings; and a plurality of strain gaugeincluding a first strain gauge and a second strain gauge, wherein thefirst strain gauge comprises: a first resistance line and a secondresistance line located in the first opening and spaced apart from thetouch electrode; a first connecting line connected to the firstresistance line and located on a different layer than the touchelectrode, wherein the first connecting line is disposed outside of thefirst opening; a second connecting line connected to the secondresistance line, spaced apart from the first connecting line and locatedon a same layer as the first connecting line, wherein the secondconnecting line is disposed outside of the first opening; and aconnecting pattern connected to the first resistance line and the secondresistance line and located in a same layer as the touch electrode,wherein the second strain gauge comprises: a third resistance line and afourth resistance line located in the second opening and spaced apartfrom the touch electrode; a third connecting line connected to the thirdresistance line and located on a different layer than the touchelectrode, wherein the third connecting line is disposed outside of thesecond opening; a fourth connecting line connected to the fourthresistance line, spaced apart from the third connecting line and locatedon a same layer as the third connecting line, wherein the fourthconnecting line is disposed outside of the second opening; and aconnecting pattern connected to the third resistance line and the fourthresistance line and located in a same layer as the touch electrode, andwherein an area of the first opening surrounding the first strain gaugeis smaller than an area of the second opening surrounding the secondstrain gauge.